Be a Prevention Hero: Help Kids Learn to Thrive
In every community, there are people working to prevent addiction disorders and mental health issues from happening in the first place. In Pennsylvania, advocacy for that work comes from the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance. Their message? That anyone can make a…
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Educating Students about Alcohol & Other Drugs: More Important Than Ever
The misuse of alcohol and other drugs is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Substance use prevention programs grounded in evidence aim to stop people from misusing alcohol and drugs before they start. As Benjamin Franklin famously…
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Now is the Time: Support Student Mental Health
The mental health of young people has been negatively impacted by the stresses of modern life. Today’s youth juggle classes, extracurriculars, family & friends. They may have part-time jobs or help look after younger siblings. In addition, they are faced…
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Supporting Loved Ones with Addiction Disorders
Family and friends may acknowledge that addiction is an illness and yet try to communicate their concerns in ways that don’t end up helping the person who is drinking, using drugs, or gambling. Addiction changes the way the brain works—in…
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Addiction Recovery- A Process of Change
We don’t change in an instant. Think back to a change you made in your life—big or small. Did you make that change the moment you realized there was a problem? Possibly. But more likely, you went through a process…
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Stressed Out? Pause, Notice, and Find Support
Photo credit: Lynn Johnson For me, stress plays out like this – poor sleep, an eye twitch, a hot ear, and blotchy skin. What do I do for a living? I teach stress management and mindful practices and have for…
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An Active Role in a Bright Future: The Science of Hope
Protective factors strengthen a person or community and improve the chances of avoiding an illness such as a substance use disorder. These positive factors range from the personal—not having addiction in your family and therefore your genes—to much broader—such as…
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Talk Early. Talk Often. Prevent Youth Substance Use
Addiction to opioids makes the news on a regular basis, but the number one misused substance in the U.S. is still alcohol. Around 10% of adults develop and alcohol use disorder, and many of those started drinking before they reached…
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Introducing Mirta Nieves: Director of Finance & Administration
We are so pleased to welcome Mirta Nieves as our new Director of Finance & Administration. She has replaced Director of Administration Phyllis Spencer, who retired at the end of August after nearly 30 years with our agency. Mirta has an…
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Strategic Priorities Set to Deepen Our Prevention Work
Over the past several months, Compass Mark engaged our Board of Directors, staff, and community partners in the development of a three-year strategic plan. This process was designed to provide clear direction for Compass Mark over the next several years and…
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