Prevention Day 2010 a Huge Success

Community prevention coalitions from around Vermont – joined by students and other community members – flocked to the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, April 14, to celebrate substance abuse prevention in the state and a variety of successes that coalitions have had in recent months, as part of Prevention Day 2010. Prevention Day was organized by Prevention Works!.

The day began inside the Capitol, with several groups of teens spotlighted for the projects they have taken on and the positive impact they have made in their communities. Groups spotlighted included Connecting Youth, Camel's Hump Vermont Kids Against Tobacco, and Enosburg Falls Our Voices Xposed, among others.

Following this presentation, those in attendance gathered outside on the Statehouse lawn for a group photo that represented the theme of Because We Care. This theme is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of keeping the Minimum Legal Drinking Age at 21.

Throughout the day, students and their respective coalitions had opportunities to meet with their legislators to talk about what they've been up to, as well as to discuss the importance of prevention in the towns they live in. In the afternoon, Addison-3 Rep. Diane Lanpher (Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes, Waltham) recognized the efforts of Vermont's community prevention coalitions in the House Chamber.

 Prevention Day participants gather on the Statehouse steps for a photo for Because We Care.