April is a Time to Reflect on Drinking
The relationship our culture has with alcohol is complicated. 70% of U.S. adults age 18 and over use alcohol. Drinking is paired with activities from 5K runs to cooking or yoga classes. Its negative impacts, however, are far-reaching and often…
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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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Risk & Protective Factors: Prevention’s North Star
An old-fashioned balance scale serves as a good metaphor for how we do addiction prevention. When our prevention specialists are out in the community, we’re asked some predictable questions about our work. Q: Are most kids using opioids? A: Definitely…
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Gambling & Gaming
As all but essential workers have stayed largely at home since mid-March, the need for distractions has risen. Hop on the internet and you’ll find many how-to articles for surviving social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Most recommend checking items…
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Expanding School-Based Programs
Image: Lincoln Middle School’s first cohort of LFG addressed bullying and promoted kindness. When the students of the Leaders of Future Generations (LFG) initiative begin the eight-week program, they are asked to brainstorm and write out answers to four questions:…
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Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents
Compass Mark’s Family Services Advocate program has been available in Lancaster County for the past four years and beginning in March, it is now available to serve children and caregivers in Lebanon County. The Family Services Advocate program identifies, supports,…
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Know the Risks of Vaping
Electronic vaping devices go by many names, such as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pipes, vaping pens, e-hookahs, or hookah pens. They are often easy to conceal and some even give off little vapor and smell, allowing teens to easily conceal…
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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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Should Parents Be Concerned About Gaming Addiction?
Following the World Health Organization’s classification of gaming addiction as a diagnosable disorder, many parents are wondering if they should be concerned about their children’s gaming habits. While experts have varying opinions about gaming addiction, most agree that allowing children…
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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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