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CATS Staff
Sue Centner
Director
Paula Galvin, M.Ed.
Assistant Director
Kaitlyn Clarke,
Youth Coordinator
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Community Alliance for Teen Safety is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to promote safe habits for all youth by increasing awareness of high-risk behaviors, encouraging healthy choices, and fostering community alliances.
www.catsnh.org
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| December 2011
During the often hectic holiday season it is important to travel with care as we head to work or school, conduct errands, and visit friends or family. Whether you are a pedestrian, a driver or a passenger remember that you are usually not traveling alone to your destination! Derry, along with many other communities across the state, is participating in an effort to encourage people to stay safe on the roads.
This effort, conducted by the Derry Police, is called Operation Safe Commute and is meant to encourage all motorists to focus their attention to the task of driving safely. All participating Law Enforcement around the state conduct the campaign on the same day each month in busy traffic areas of their communities.
The staff, board and youth members of CATS wish you and yours a safe and joyous Holiday Season! Let's all remember the important message that Operation Safe Commute is emphasizing, especially during the heavily traveled and busy holiday season, and carry it with us each day!
Best regards,
Sue Centner
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Website Resources
Please visit our updated resources on the CATS website. Behavioral health resources, specifically for children and adolescents, have been added to the Wellness page. Included in this section is a comprehensive resource for self-injury as well as contact information for local resources. More
Please note that crisis information is located on the Suicide Prevention page. |
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New Helpline for Parents
Parents: Do you need help with your child's drug or alcohol use? Call the Parents Toll-Free Helpline at 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373) or visit the website at The Partnership at drugfree.org. |
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Think About Safety When Purchasing Toys
Prevent Blindness for America offers suggestions on how to purchase safe toys for children this holiday season. Read the news release. |
Operation Safe Commute
The Derry Police Department is participating in the statewide campaign, Operation Safe Commute. Funded by the NH Highway Safety Agency, Operation Safe Commute is a statewide enforcement campaign to encourage all motorists to focus their attention to the task of driving safely.
Avoid distractions. Eating, drinking, cell-phone use, talking to other passengers, entertaining your children, reading your GPS screen...anything that takes your eyes and attention off the road is a distraction and potential cause of a crash-related injuries or death.
Plan ahead. Tailgating, frequent lane changes, failure to yield, running red lights...are all forms of aggressive driving. Avoid aggressive driving behaviors by:
- Paying attention
- Never trust other drivers
- Always yield the right of way
- Never display or react to road rage
- Use your signals
- Plan lane changes in advance
- Back off
Teens are most at risk. Younger drivers have the highest percentage of distraction-related crashes. Make sure your teen knows the rules of the road as well as house rules regarding the privilege of driving.
Read more about driving safely.
Distraction.gov
National Drive Safely Work Week
CATS Traffic Safety
Derry Police Department
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December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month
 "In 1982, then US Senator Gordon Humphrey of NH introduced the first Congressional Resolution to designate a week in December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week. Each year through 1991 resolutions were approved by Congress and the President proclaimed a week in December as Triple D week, and it became an annual event throughout the nation. Since 1992 the entire month of December has been designated as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month." Peter Thomson, Coordinator, NH Highway Safety Agency.
At the annual NH Governor's Safe Family Holiday Lunch for Law Enforcement and Highway Safety partners in late November Governor Lynch thanked law enforcement and all those who work together to reduce the injuries and fatalities on NH's roads for their dedication and hard work. Campaigns such as Operation Safe Commute and other driving safety efforts are helping to make a difference. This year, as of Nov 27, the fatal motor vehicle crashes on NH's roads according to the NH Department of Safety are at 71 compared to 114 last year on the same date.
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| Youth Corner
Submitted by Sue Centner
Youth members from CATS and the Raymond Coalition for Youth had the opportunity to come together for a youth empowerment training in November. A big thank you to the Chester Fire Department for offering their facility for the training. The youth talked about what were concerning issues in their schools and their communities and what is involved in changing attitudes and behaviors. One attendee commented, when asked why she participated in her youth group, "I want to help make my community better as a whole and learn how to be a better role model". The two groups felt empowered to continue their discussions and plans for collaborative projects to help make their communities safer and have planned to meet again after the holidays.
To express their gratitude and concern, the CATS high school youth members have created handmade Holiday cards for soldiers in active service. They visited the Derry Boys and Girls Club and the after school ProFuture Club at Hood Middle school to help the younger students prepare cards as well. All the cards will be sent through the Red Cross for distribution.
Thank you to our local Shaw's and Hannaford's Supermarkets who support the youth's efforts to remind the community that providing alcohol to minors is against the law. CATS youth members stickered the multipacks of beer with the Buyer Beware stickers prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday. The purchase of alcoholic beverages is highest during holidays and special events such as super bowl, graduations and prom.
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