A Modern, Scientific View of Addiction
People struggling with substance abuse were once, and sometimes still are, judged harshly. Today, we know addiction is a disease, just as cancer, diabetes and other common ailments are. The National Institute of Drug Abuse, respected institutions like the American…
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National Substance Abuse Prevention Month: Get involved; be the change!
When the term “substance abuse” is mentioned, your mind likely goes to Pennsylvania’s much-publicized opioid crisis, but the issues of substance abuse are much broader. While they receive special attention in October during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, these issues…
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Finding the Right Words. . .
By Anne Schober, Youth Leadership Advocate I love summer. I love the idea of wearing flip-flops every day, soaking up the sun while sipping on lemonade, enjoying a refreshing dip in the pool, savoring Lancaster County sweet corn, catching fireflies…
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Changes and New Beginnings
By Anne Schober, Youth Leadership Advocate It was a gloomy Tuesday morning and I had a confession I needed to make to Richard: I was nervous. I was nervous about beginning our new program. I was nervous about change. I…
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Compass Mark Expands School-Based Prevention
As the new school year begins, Compass Mark is gearing up for prevention programming in partnership with area school districts in Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Effective and comprehensive school-based prevention programs help students develop social skills, decision-making skills and coping…
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What is Prevention? Challenging Stereotypes
When many people hear the word “prevention” in the context of substance abuse, they may recall the prevention methods of yesteryear: emotionally charged school assemblies, disturbing photos of gruesome side effects or a health teacher that tried to “scare them…
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Join us for National Night Out
Mark your calendar for the National Night Out on August 7, 2018! The evening aims to bring communities together and to promote positive choices. Showing people that they are a part of strong communities and diverse support systems is an…
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Kids Kamp Teaches Valuable Life Lessons
On June 17th, 22 Kids Kamp campers arrived in Chester County for a memorable and life-changing week of learning and fun, all organized by Compass Mark. The campers, who are often facing a variety of challenging situations, were joined by…
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Billboard Campaign Grows Awareness for Key Issues
Big brands that produce alcohol and tobacco products have seemingly unlimited marketing budgets. Watch TV, use the internet and social media, or just drive down the street and you’re exposed to content that makes smoking and drinking seem cool, or…
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Middle School Students Lead Service Projects Promoting Kindness and Empathy
A total of 53 5th and 6th graders from Landis Run Intermediate School spent 8 weeks completing the first year of Compass Mark’s Leadership Institute after-school program. There were three separate cohorts of 15-20 students spread out through the 2017-2018…
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