Working Together
Monday, December 1st, 2008
By: Pamela Mautte, VSAAC Director
First and foremost I would like to thank all of our coalition members, community, partners, and our legislative delegation for supporting our work in the community. When communities work together to address critical issues, they create a tremendous impact that produces lasting effects. This powerful phenomenon is the driving force behind Birmingham Group Health Services, Inc.’s - Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC). VSAAC works hand in hand with the community to provide education and prevention of substance abuse and related risky behaviors through innovative and collaborative efforts that continue to change and save lives in our community.
Through collaborative thinking and planning, we have worked together to promote creative problem solving and fostering innovative projects, while proactively serving our community and building support for potential solutions. It is imperative that we continue to inform the public about the connection that substance abuse and its influence over other serious conditions in the community.
· Substance abuse is the underlying issues to many of our communities other problems such as academic failure, poverty, domestic violence, crime, unemployment, and poor mental health.
· Research has demonstrated that early use of alcohol has been proven to affect brain development – for example a child who regularly uses alcohol or other drugs under the age of 15 is four times more likely to become dependent and experience other social, legal, and health problems
Active community involvement is vital for us to continue promoting healthy behaviors, building assets, assisting those seeking treatment and supporting recovery. These are critical components in creating healthy communities. Therefore, I challenge you to take action and help save lives in your community. Contact VSAAC today at (203) 736-8566 and join the VSAAC community coalition comprised of parents, educators, youth, law enforcement, health & human service providers, faith community, business and civic members, elected officials, and concerned citizens. Working together makes a difference! #####