Position Paper: Legalization of Adult-Use Cannabis in PA
There are several bills related to the legalization of adult use cannabis circulating in the PA Legislature, including HB 1180 and SB 846. Many expect that a vote on this issue will take place this session. In response, The Board…
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Juvenile Justice: We Can and Must Do Better
Compass Mark focuses on youth in the criminal justice system this month because—like adults—many enter this system due to the multiple hardships they have faced, including childhood toxic stress. Young people with mental health or addiction issues—or both—have a higher…
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Toxic Stress: Difficult Childhoods Impact Body & Brain
It was the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study in 1997 that made the link between early trauma and illness later in life official. The results overwhelmingly showed that the more significant hardships a person goes through in childhood, the greater…
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Building Healthy Brains: There is Life After Trauma
As we learned in our June Mental Health Moment segment, adverse childhood experiences (ACES) can result in toxic levels of stress, which can harm our physical and mental health later in life. This month, we focus on helping children to…
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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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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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Loot Boxes
March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month–a time to learn more about this silent addiction which effects an estimated 4-6 million adults in the United States. Unfortunately, youth are not immune to issues related to gambling, and for many, their…
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