The Partnership @DrugFreeNH Relaunched to Address State’s Ongoing

The Partnership @DrugFreeNH (The Partnership) has restructured the organization and priorities, along with the relaunch of their website, www.drugfreenh.org. The website provides up-to-date information and resources designed to get families the help and support they need when addressing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs — a critical issue in the Granite State.

Earlier this month, officials with the New Hampshire American Medical Response released initial data showing COVID-19’s impact on substance misuse and substance use disorders. According to the data, overdose numbers are rising in New Hampshire’s (NH) two largest cities. Further, responders have found a new challenge: people ingesting dangerous mixtures of drugs, such as opioids and methamphetamine. This evidence supports the urgent need for the Partnership’s reorganization and updated information.

The Partnership serves as a resource for current alcohol and other drug prevention information for individuals, schools, parents, health care providers, young adults, or anyone who works with or is interested in NH youth. On the site, people can learn more about substance misuse and substance use disorders; how it can be prevented, how to help friends and family members find resources, and how individuals and communities can help educate others.

“Our mission is to create and promote consistent statewide messages about the problems and solutions of substance misuse in New Hampshire through engagement of partners, members and champions,” said Karyn Madore, Partnership Project Director. “Together, we want to create a multi-faceted resource that allows NH residents to play an active role in substance misuse prevention and recovery."

“The revamped site has extremely useful features such as the NH Alcohol and Drug Treatment Locator, the I need Help Resource Page, and prevention resources for healthy decisions around the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.” said Jill Burke, MPA, NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS).

“When folks are in active drug or alcohol use, the window for seeking recovery is only intermittently open,” said Keith Howard, currently in recovery and Executive Director of Hope for New Hampshire. “The information has to be easily accessible and always available. The NH Alcohol and Drug Treatment Locator is both, and the hope is people will reach out before that window closes again.” To get help, you simply enter an address or zip code and the Locator app provides immediate information about the treatment sites in the area, including contact information and in many cases links to the facility/program’s website. “Especially in this time of social isolation, with drug and alcohol misuse spiking, people need immediate access to information about treatment,” said Howard. “Recovery seems impossible until it becomes reality, and for many folks, their recovery begins in treatment.”

The I need Help Resource Page takes you to a host of supports and services and the level of care that’s right for you. There is also a designated page on the Partnership’s site that has links to effective messaging for youth and young adults that can be used by individuals and organizations. The messaging on the website is carefully tested and re-tested for usefulness before being shared online.

“Strong prevention is based on collaboration, clear, crisp researched messaging and is inclusive… The Partnership by design brings this to NH,” said Mary Forsythe-Taber, CPS, Executive Director of Makin’ It Happen and an Advisor on the 2020 Governor’s Youth Advisory Council.

The Partnership is supported by relationship building, collaboration and leveraging efforts. It is launching a series of events over the coming months — planning and advisory meetings, as well as training opportunities including the substance misuse prevention conference, The Power of Prevention: Celebrating Partners to Prevent and Reduce Substance Misuse on October 4, 2021. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more or joining The Partnership, visit https://drugfreenh.org/contact-us/. You can also visit the website or email the Partnership at thepartnership@jsi.com.

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