Bristol Central High School and Bristol Eastern High School will be partnering with BEST, during National Prevention Week, May 12-18, 2019 at their schools as part of a national health observance sponsored by SAMHSA. National Prevention Week is dedicated to increasing the prevention of substance use and promotion of mental health, and celebrating the successful prevention efforts of organizations and individuals. On Friday, May 10, 2019, Bristol Central High School will kick off the week with a ‘Mock Car Accident’ that will give students an experience of the dangers of drinking, drugged and distracted driving. Monday, both high schools will fill their hallways with posters stating positive messages. Students will be given a purple bracelet to wear that unifies them as a drug free community. Other activities during the week include an interactive resource table during all lunch waves. A banner that reads, “Dear Future Me…” on which students may write messages of hope for the future. The mornings are filled with fun fact announcements. Students will have access to local resources at a mini resource fair and a fun 3 point basketball contest against teachers! The week ends with everyone wearing purple to school unifying students and staff in hopes that the message was well received, we can have fun sober!

BEST recognizes that we can all inspire positive change throughout the year. Every day and everywhere, whether we make healthy choices for ourselves or inspire others to do so, the small actions we take can change lives for the better. To encourage healthy decision-making and rally youth to reach their full potential, BEST is partnering with Bristol Central High School and Bristol Eastern High School to host National Prevention Week.  Activities will reflect the 2019 National Prevention Week theme—“Inspiring Action. Changing Lives.”—and provide youth with local resources and positive messages about self-care.

National Prevention Week echoes a key message of the 2016 Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health: we can shift the way our society thinks about substance misuse and substance use disorders while defining actions that individuals and communities can take to prevent and treat these conditions. BEST is proud to be one of many organizations around the country encouraging people to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and mental health promotion in their communities as part of National Prevention Week 2019.

If you would like more information about BEST and to get involved with the coalition please go to www.best4bristol.com or call Christina Sanchez, Project Coordinator at (860) 314-4690 x. 5121.