PD Blog: Attorney General, college Narcan event, youth opportunities & more
- info450094
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 19
Positive Directions has great updates to share! In this blog post:
Attorney General speaks at our cannabis event
Safe at College: Students from Norwalk and Westport can drop in this Thursday for a free harm reduction kit containing Narcan
Cannabis PSA
Youth opportunities with the CT Support Group & Mid Fairfield Youth Cannabis Prevention Project
SMART Recovery capacity building
Meet our clinical interns
& more!
Prevention Department News
Attorney General Speaks at our Law Enforcement Summit
Through our Mid Fairfield Youth Cannabis Prevention Project, we recently convened police leaders from New Canaan, Norwalk, Weston, Westport, and Wilton for a summit meeting with Attorney General William Tong, who has been a terrific advocate in addressing illicit cannabis sales, especially those targeting youth. Our event also featured a presentation by DMHAS Program Manager Denique Weidema-Lewis–a former Positive Directions program director!
Also in attendance were Sen. Ceci Maher, Rep. Tom O’Dea, First Selectwoman Dionna Carlson (New Canaan), Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore (Westport), preventionists, and representatives of local planning and zoning and health departments. Our project is developing regional collaborations that will build capacity, streamline processes, share data, and move the needle on policy and practice related to underage cannabis.
Safe at College Training:
Drop in this Thursday to pick up harm reduction kit (with Narcan) for college
College students: Be prepared to keep your friends safe at college! Positive Directions is providing safety kits to college students from Norwalk or Westport on Thursday, August 14th, between 1pm and 6pm. RSVP preferred so we have enough supplies! Please plan on spending15 minutes to discuss mental health & substance risks and resources at college, recognize overdose warning signs, and learn to administer life-saving Narcan. Walk away with a cannabis lock bag containing Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and more.
Cannabis Awareness Video
Check out the Public Service Announcement created through our Mid Fairfield Youth Cannabis Prevention Project! It was broadcast throughout the summer throughout the project’s five-town catchment area, seeking to raise awareness among parents.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Update
Over the summer, two of our Prevention staff, Francesca Guerrier and Margaret Watt, were trained as instructors in the internationally recognized YMHFA training. Be on the lookout for our first class, which will help build awareness and skills among adults who work with youth and will be open to anyone from our local communities.
Recruiting for a Regional Youth Team
As part of our Mid-Fairfield Youth Cannabis Prevention Project, which is working across Norwalk, New Canaan, Weston, Westport, and Wilton, Positive Directions is putting together a Regional Youth Team. Youth must be from one of the target communities, of high school age, abstinent from all substances, and interested in serving as role models and educators and in being a part of a multi-town effort to address cannabis. The regional youth team will provide education and gather data through focus groups and landscape analysis.
Updates from our Peer Support Team
New Look for CT Support Group website
Our CT Support Group website has a new fresh layout, improved search capabilities, and more info about accessing peer supporters and groups around the state! Agencies can also claim their own listings on the Resource Map to make updates.
SMART Recovery Facilitator Training Builds New Regional Capacity
Through a grant from Wheeler Clinic, we were able to train 12 new SMART Recovery facilitators in the region, building capacity to offer SMART Recovery support groups in schools, nonprofits, treatment facilities, and at our regional Pride Center.
Youth Mental Health Advocates: Volunteer with the CT Support Group Project!
Are you a youth or young adult interested in supporting mental health? Our CT Support Group project is a digital peer support platform that connects young people across Connecticut. If you're interested in creating content, sharing resources, building connections, growing the Discord, or have other ideas, consider volunteering!
Contact our project manager, Quinn Jannetty, and check out the volunteer description on our Careers page.
To share this opportunity, please download the flyer here:
News from our Behavioral Health Clinic
Melanie Vollono now known as Melanie DeLapp!
At the end of July, our Clinical Director, Melanie, got married! She will now be going by her married name, Melanie DeLapp.
Congratulations, Melanie!!
Welcome to Clinical Intern, Leslie Corrigan
Leslie has recently joined Positive Directions as a Clinical Intern and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Sacred Heart University. Leslie engages with clients and meets them with openness and optimism. She is passionate about developing healthier thought patterns and setting and pursuing achievable goals. She emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and patience.
Welcome, Leslie!
Welcome to Clinical Intern, Nikoletta Moschidi
Nikoletta is committed to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and integrate creativity into the therapeutic process to foster resilience and healing. Nikoletta emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and a holistic approach in her work. Her blend of artistic insight and clinical training allows her to support clients through skillful integration of therapeutic approaches that facilitate exploration and transformation. She will also be working with our Westport Prevention Coalition one day a week!
Welcome, Nikoletta!
