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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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| January 2012
The board of directors and staff at CATS wish to acknowledge all the wonderful and important prevention work that so many in our communities do every day that makes such a positive difference in the lives of youth and families.
Often it is just a small act or deed that makes a difference in the life of a child or adult and leaves a long-lasting positive impact. If we all take a moment in our busy days to reflect on something positive in our community, a resource that has helped when there has been a problem, or a person who has been inspiring or supportive and share those thoughts with others we can increase the positive growth and momentum towards a safer community for all.
Together let's make 2012 a year in which individuals and families can more successfully find the resources needed to prosper and to thrive.
Best regards,
Sue Centner
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Driving Drunk Will Penalize Your Super Bowl Plans
 The Super Bowl is America's most popular national sporting event. All across the country, millions of people gather to socialize and watch the big game. The U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with support from the National Football League (NFL) and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition, have joined forces to spread an important safety message to the public about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday - Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk.
"This message is for everyone who will be drinking during the big game. Make the right play and pass your keys to a designated driver so they can get you home safely," said Sue Centner, director of CATS.
In 2010, alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.
Driving while impaired could result in a loss of your driver's license or even possibly the loss of your or someone else's life. On Super Bowl Sunday, make it a team effort to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. If you plan on driving, plan not to drink alcohol.
Click to read about tips for hosting or attending a Super Bowl party.
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Community Partners Share the Message
Sullivan Tire of Derry and the Derry/Salem Elks Lodge are helping CATS share the message to be the wall between teens and alcohol. "Be the Wall" is a successful social marketing campaign developed by the Florida Office of Drug Control. The campaign empowers parents to "be the wall between teens and alcohol."
Sullivan Tire has been distributing air fresheners to customers printed with the "Be the Wall" message, while the Derry/Salem Elks Lodge has been using similarly printed coasters for members attending lodge activities. The items were purchased by member organizations of the Southern Rockingham County regional prevention coalition, Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), to send the message to parents in New Hampshire. As an ASAP member, Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS) supports this effort in the greater Derry area.
Thank you to Sullivan Tire Derry and the Derry/Salem Elks Lodge for sharing the message!
 
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Prescription Drug Misuse Training in Development
 CATS received a grant from the American Medical Association Foundation to develop a training on prescription drug misuse with help from members of the greater Derry community.
- Eric Kester, Training Sergeant, Derry Police Department
Thank you to everyone sharing their time!
The goals of the training are:
· Increasing youth awareness of illicit use and health risks associated with prescription drugs when taken without a doctor's prescription or as prescribed,
· Increasing parent awareness of the need to safely store and monitor prescription drugs in the home to prevent illicit or unintentional youth access.
We're still looking for parent participation. Please contact CATS to learn more about providing feedback to the process!
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| Video Production Release
A red carpet release party featuring a short video developed by the Cool Kids Task Force with a public safety message on the dangers of underage drinking was held on December 10th at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester.
Watch the video (4:15)
The video effort was funded by the NH Department of Justice, Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws grant. The project and event were supported through a collaborative partnership between a number of youth and parents throughout Greater Rockingham County, the Raymond Police Department, Raymond Coalition for Youth, Community Alliance for Teen Safety, Birch Hill Media Productions, Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Currier Museum of Art.
Special Keynote Speaker, Former NBA Star Dwight Davis of the Cleveland Cavaliers, offered his inspiring personal story and encouraged the Cool Kids Task Force to continue their efforts to help make their communities safer. Detective Rick LaBell from the Raymond Police Department gave a dynamic presentation about overcoming adversity and making positive choices using references to his "Message in the Music" presentation as motivational examples. Local high school junior and CATS youth member Krysta Lewis participated in the video project. The video will be widely distributed.
Read Speech by Dwight Davis
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Presentation for Seniors
CATS collaborated with the Derry Police and EMS services of the Derry Fire Department to provide a presentation for the senior residents of Birch Heights on December 15th on crime prevention and the safe use, storage and disposal of prescription drugs. The topics were chosen for their relevance especially at holiday time when family visits increase making exposure to prescription medicines that are  not safely stored a risk for children and youth. Allison, Enrichment Coordinator for Birch Heights, was a big help in coordinating the event. Chuck Hemeon informed the attendees about how to safely use, store and dispose of prescription medicines. Officer Dan Komenda and Sgt Eric Kester talked about protecting one's identity, avoiding scams, and staying safe during the often hectic holiday season. The attendees were given handouts with safety tips, asked a lot of questions of the presenters, and enjoyed a raffle drawing which awarded several gift certificates to local businesses. The presentation is part of an on-going effort to increase awareness about important issues affecting the safety of Derry residents. 
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