GASP Coalition continues to perform outreach during pandemic

Groton Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention celebrates National Prevention Week by focusing on youth engagement

Groton — Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Groton Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (GASP) Coalition Coordinator Carolyn Wilson has said the organization didn’t want to slow down its outreach work.

GASP is celebrating National Prevention Week, to bring extra attention to prevention and to prioritize prevention principles, by focusing on youth engagement and social media, according to a news release from the group.

Wilson said social media is one of the strongest tools that the coalition has to reach as many people as possible. The coalition reached 12,000 people on social media during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week in April.

The coalition said it is constantly looking for creative ways to get the community’s attention, especially now when people might not really be thinking about prevention, the release said.

The coalition is implementing an essay contest for youths to describe what prevention is and how it applies to their life. The coalition is also holding a virtual focus group in which students can share their perception of what’s going on in Groton and where the coalition needs to focus its efforts.

Other initiatives include social media contests, such as the #PreventionHappensHere campaign, created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in which community members can showcase prevention efforts in the community.

Recently, the coalition purchased an ID scanner to lend out to local liquor retailers. One local establishment is using that scanner for curbside pickups to prevent underage liquor sales and underage drinking.

GASP is seeking new support on social media and is always looking for new membership and additional leadership. Membership in the coalition, a program of Ledge Light Health District, is free and anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Groton can participate. The coalition meets once a month, currently virtually. The coalition, made up of community volunteers, focuses mostly on strategies to prevent and reduce substance use among Groton youth and works with municipal leaders.

More information is available by emailing cwilson@llhd.org or following GASP on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.