Catholic Charities and Orange County DA launch new youth substance use prevention initiative

Youth substance use is particularly harmful to a developing adolescent brain and body, and substance use at an early age is an important predictor of substance use disorder later in life, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Teen substance use can impact judgement, slow reaction time and cause difficulty in school, among other long-term effects. Education and communication are key factors in preventing youth substance use and addiction.

To promote communication and reinforce the importance of Social Host Laws in the prevention of youth substance use, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster have joined forces to introduce an innovative new prevention program.

On April 22, Hoovler and Catholic Charities CEO Shannon Kelly introduced the newest member of the Catholic Charities Prevention team: “Peachy, the Prevention Elephant.”

Peachy is an innovative addition to Catholic Charities’ Prevention Services Program that uses evidence-based programs to help youth, family members and the community engage in important conversations to stop substance use and misuse before it becomes a larger issue.

The Social Host Law

Support from the DA and other elected officials will highlight the importance of having these difficult conversations and remind parents and homeowners of their responsibilities under the Social Host Law. The Social Host Law makes it illegal for homeowners, or any host 18 years or older, to knowingly allow underage drinking or cannabis use at their home or a party, or to not take action to stop underage drinking once they find out about it.

“The legal age to drink alcohol or use cannabis is 21,” Hoovler said. “It doesn’t matter if your kids and their friends are using at home, underage use is illegal, and violation of the Social Host Law comes with consequences. Addressing this issue can be difficult, that’s what’s great about this new prevention program from Catholic Charities. Having the actual elephant in the room can make it easier to address awkward topics — and Catholic Charities offers many resources to help parents and guardians start these conversations.”

Catholic Charities utilizes age appropriate, evidence-based programs to ensure that students have the life skills and resources they need to make good decisions, and that parents, schools and community members have the necessary information to promote positive physical and mental health and well-being for the youngest members of our community. Peachy is the newest addition to Catholic Charities’ program offerings.

“I’m very proud of our Prevention team and their creativity in tackling difficult, but important, subjects,” said Shannon Kelly, CEO of Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster. ”As a mom to two sons, one who will soon be entering high school, I know there are many pressures and competing interests for a young person’s time and attention. I’m grateful for Prevention resources, like Peachy, that help to guide and inform so that these necessary conversations don’t have to be awkward.”

Peachy’s mission

Francesca Bryson, Coalition Coordinator for TEAM Newburgh (a program for which Catholic Charities serves as fiscal and programmatic agent), explained that Peachy’s mission is to educate youth, parents and community members on important topics — like the Social Host Law — in an engaging and memorable way.

Peachy will be visiting schools and community groups and working with community coalitions as well as the Tri-City Youth Coalition, which includes students from Newburgh, Middletown and Port Jervis.

To schedule a visit from Peachy, contact Francesca.Bryson@cccsos.org or call 845 916-0622.