“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
… and your local library is a great starting place!
Healthy Lamoille Valley is partnering with 10 local libraries (Glee Merritt Kelley Community Library, Jeudevine Memorial Library, Craftsbury Public Library, Greensboro Free Library, Varnum Memorial Library, Waterville Town Library, Johnson Public Library, Lanpher Memorial Library, Morristown Centennial Library, and the Stowe Free Library) to provide community members open access to six films related to substance abuse prevention.
Sheriff Roger Marcoux, who recently hosted June’s community opiate discussion where approximately 170 community members joined the conversation, is excited about these new resources and shares, “I am grateful that our local libraries are willing to add these resources to their collections. One of the most important things that my office can do is to work with our community partners to make the public aware as to the extent of the opiate addiction problem in our county. I strongly encourage citizens to learn everything they can about addiction and empower themselves, checking out and watching these films is one easy way to do this. It will take all of us working together to help our youth in these challenging times.”
The film titles include:
The Other Side of Cannabis: Negative Effects of Marijuana on Our Youth – brings attention to the negative effects of marijuana on our youth–adolescents, teenagers and young adults whose brains are still forming. Other Side of Cannabis Film Clip
Paper Tigers – One High School’s Unlikely Success Story – highlights the importance of the presence of one dependable and caring adult. Paper Tigers Film Clip
The Hungry Heart – created by Vermont Producer/Director, Bess O’Brien highlighting the prescription drug/opiate crisis in Vermont. Hungry Heart Website
The Anonymous People – features the over 23 million Americans living in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. manyfaces1voice.org/
Spin the Bottle: Sex, Lies & Alcohol – offers an indispensable critique of the role that contemporary popular culture plays in glamorizing excessive drinking and high-risk behaviors. Spin the Bottle Film Clip
Deadly Persuasion – The Advertising of Alcohol & Tobacco – identifies 7 myths that the alcohol industry wants us to believe. Trailer: Deadly Persuasion Film Clip, Discussion Guide
These films were recommended by substance abuse prevention professionals around the state as providing solid information on a variety of topics impacting families locally. Healthy Lamoille Valley sponsored this project through a Partnership for Success Grant. We invite the community to watch these films and then talk about them… include teens in the viewing and discussion. Where are they seeing these substances? How are they able to avoid experimenting and help others make wise choices? What can be done to help people avoid substance abuse? How can we help those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction? You can find additional conversation starters related to these films
at: healthylamoillevalley.org/film-project/
If you’d like to host a more formal showing of one or more of these films in your community, civic or church group, or even a group of friends, Healthy Lamoille Valley is willing to help set it up, facilitate, or provide resources to help. Please contact Jessica Bickford at 802.730.6599.
“The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action.” – Herbert Spencer