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Coalitions in Action:<\/strong> The Project Alliance\u2019s Marijuana Summit Hits the Mark<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhen it came to marijuana use, since 2011, we\u2019d noticed that our teens\u2019 perception of harm had been going down,\u201d says Program Director Bill Paterson, of the Project Alliance at the University of New England (UNE). \u201cInformation from the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey coupled with anecdotal data and passage of our medical marijuana law raised a red flag.\u201d<\/p>\n Uniquely positioned within the university\u2019s College of Osteopathic Medicine, Project Alliance \u2013 an initiative of Maine\u2019s Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition (CHCC) \u2013 leads substance misuse prevention efforts to reduce retail and social access to alcohol, increase awareness of the risks of marijuana use and promotes the safe disposal of prescription medication.\u00a0Its diverse board includes representatives from schools, parents, law enforcement, youth, clergy and more. Efforts target youth, parents, law enforcement and school administrators. The initiative serves coastal beach communities \u2013 80,000 people (summertime population of 200,000) \u2013 areas which are both urban and rural.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were very concerned when we saw that our teens weren\u2019t taking marijuana risks seriously,\u201d says Paterson. \u201cSome believe that marijuana is safe because of its legal status, and that\u2019s dangerous thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n Paterson affirms that the goal is to reduce marijuana use among students aged 12-18, and raise the level of awareness about marijuana and its potential impact on adolescents. To that effect, Project Alliance\u2019s centerpiece is its yearly Marijuana Summit. The event brings together 60 students, school administrators, counselors, health care professionals, school resource officers and teachers who learn about:<\/p>\n Also in the marijuana education arena, Project Alliance:<\/p>\n University connections make Project Alliance stronger <\/em><\/p>\n Paterson affirms that tapping into the university community is a win-win. The university gains visibility on important issues, and the Summit and other prevention activities secure access to some of the best minds. For example, the 2016 Summit featured Christian Teter, Pharm.D., BCPP, a UNE associate professor of Psychopharmacology who presented on the impact of marijuana use on the developing brain. Being housed in the university also affords Project Alliance with opportunities to enhance its credibility.<\/p>\n \u201cWe tap into the pharmacy, social work and neuroscience departments, obtaining important backing from experts who can help us achieve our goals,\u201d says Paterson. Recent DFC, CDC and state of Maine funding was obtained partially due to the initiative\u2019s university affiliation. Paterson also reiterates that these connections energize and mobilize activities, making community relationships ever-stronger.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re very excited about our marijuana and teens program and couldn\u2019t do it without UNE. The university acts as the foundation, supporting our efforts and their success. Take the time to nurture relationships with colleges and universities wherever you are. You won\u2019t regret it,\u201d concludes Paterson.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 Coalitions in Action: The Project Alliance\u2019s Marijuana Summit Hits the Mark \u201cWhen it came to marijuana use, since 2011,<\/p>","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":13807,"template":"","resource_type":[281],"drug_specific_issues":[],"action_to_do":[],"class_list":["post-17396","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resource_type-coalitions-online"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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