Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention in Bennington

The Regional Prevention Partnerships provides five years of funding to our region. It is led by The Collaborative, a well-established prevention coalition that offers programs in the mountain towns, in partnership with implementing partners across the region. The goals of the Regional Prevention Partnership are to:

1. Reduce underage drinking and binge drinking in people aged 12-20
2. Reduce prescription drug misuse in people aged 12-25
3. Reduce marijuana use in people aged 12-25
4. Increase statewide and regional infrastructure to implement substance abuse prevention activities.

The Collaborative will bring together many community partners (e.g. Alliance for Community Transformations (ACT), United Counseling Service, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Bennington Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Turning Point Center, etc. , to identify community needs and reduce substance misuse and abuse amongst adolescents and young adults. 

Prevention efforts by local coalitions have led to local policy changes, positive campaigns to change norms (implemented by ACT and students of Mount Anthony Union High Schoo)l and increasing school and community commitment to reducing substance misuse and abuse. Activities have included a campaign by the police department to recognize and reward positive adolescent behavior, and placing stickers on alcoholic beverages to inform buyers of penalties associated with providing alcohol to underage people. Ten schools and approximately 400 students are now participating in The Collaborative’s Refuse to Use prevention program.

Prescription Drug Disposal

Most people who abuse prescription painkillers get them from friends or family – often straight out of the medicine cabinet. By ensuring the safe use, storage and disposal of prescription drugs, you can help make sure drugs don't get into the wrong hands, or pollute our waterways and wildlife.

The Department of Health coordinates a prescription drug disposal system to connect Vermonters with permanent disposal sites near them, like pharmacies and police stations. Find prescription drug disposal options in your area.