To the editor: You can help Collaborative combat addiction

The Collaborative is in the middle of its annual 2015 fundraising appeal. We appreciate our donors so much. They are the reason we are able to host substance free events for young people, educate the community about harmful substances and support working families through our Extended Day Program. Our programs combine education with active alternatives that encourage positive lifelong habits.

The Collaborative’s programs have a positive impact on many in this community.

• More than 300 students participated in the Refuse to Use Program, which included over eight hours of hands-on education about refusal skills, activity alternatives and the risk and harms of alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
• The Prescription Drug Take Back initiative garnered over 700 pounds of unused prescription drugs, helping to keep harmful drugs out of the homes and hands of first time misusers.
• Collaborative Camp and the Flood Brook School Extended Day Program hosted over 225 youth in the mountain community.
• Collaborative sponsored substance free events for more than 460 high school youth included rail jams, broomball nights, movie nights and dances.
• Positive Youth Development programs taught the skills to choose healthy behaviors and refuse drugs, alcohol and tobacco to 210 youths in grades 3 to 12 in local schools.

The Collaborative is committed to healthy, happy and resilient children and teens who can grow up to be healthy, happy and resilient adults.

If you would like to support work of the Collaborative with a financial contribution, you can go to www.thecollaborative.us. Gifts in honor or memory of someone special are encouraged.

Sincerely,
Maryann Morris
Executive director
The Collaborative