Project Peace was founded in 2010 by students at Reading High School, reacting to the gun murders of four of their classmates in one school year. The student lead organization works within the schools and the city to promote peace and non-violence among young people and adults. “There are Project Peace groups in the both high schools and the middles schools says, Tyzehna, a senior attending Reading High. “When we first started Project Peace it was just at the high school.” Project Peace members meet monthly to formulate ideas and strategies about ways to help foster a safer community. Tyzehna says the group tries to get involved with everything in the community to make it a better place. Through activities such as Peace Marches, mentoring to kids in elementary schools, and presentations to city council and board members regarding efforts and suggestions to make our communities better, Project Peace are “Young People taking Charge.”

For those who enter the field of addiction as a profession, passion for the work and the people they interact with is necessary to help individuals and families in need. Jamie Cappiello, a recent Alvernia University graduate from the Behavioral Health Program, already has hands on experience in her field of study and is eager to continue working to help educate others. Jamie was an intern at the Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) during her Senior year at Alvernia University, and after graduation helped facilitate an evidence-based curriculum “Too Good For Violence.” During her time with COCA, Jamie has taught prevention education in the classroom, and came to realize the importance and empowerment of education. “People don’t realize that drugs, substance and behavioral abuses really are bad,” said Jamie on what she learned during her time working with the Prevention Staff. Jamie also recently finished her Senior Honor’s Thesis “Binge Eating Disorder: Disordered Eating or Deadly Addiction?” In her paper, Jamie compared binge eating disorder to drug and alcohol addiction. Tune in while Jamie, with host Jennifer, shares her heart to help and educate.

Research indicate today’s youth is grappling with a myriad of issues, including self –esteem, peer pressure, academic achievement, and worldview outlook. These dynamics can make it challenging for students to focus in school and/or home. The Student Assistance Program provides assistance to students in a school setting.

Student Assistance Program Coordinator, Tina George from Caron Treatment Centers chats with Yvonne Stroman on the program’s role within the school districts and its benefits. Tina says every school SAP team functions differently, but they are in every school district to meet the needs of the student who is referred. Referrals can come from the school, families or anyone concerned about the student’s well-being.

Individuals in early recovery from alcohol, drugs and other behaviors find themselves in a whirlwind, trying to get steady on their feet. Both life-skills and living skills need to be cultivated and nurtures. For the individual fighting to get well, the road can seem lonely. Margaret Baldwin, Certified Recovery Specialist from TASC explains who the services of a Recovery Support Specialist can help ease the anxiety and overwhelming thoughts of how to achieve a sober lifestyle and become a responsible person in recovery. Recovery Support Services are free and available to persons 18 years and older living in Berks County. Margaret states, “As a person in long-term recovery, I did not have the opportunity to receive help as extensive as this.” Join us as we talk to Margaret about how an individual can become involved in this service that is free and voluntary.

The age-old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” still rings true today in the Berks County community. Many communities in the county are working together to provide educational programs for children. Just one of these organizations is the Reading Recreation Commission. Heather Boyer has been serving the Reading community for over 20 years, and current acts as the Program Supervisor for the Reading Recreation Commission.

One of her responsibilities includes choosing programming and educational speakers for the summer programs, which includes the Council on Chemical Abuse. As part of the summer programs with the Reading Recreation Commission, the Council speaks with children about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol, gambling and gaming. Join the conversation as Heather and Jennifer talk about the education provided to children on gambling, drugs and alcohol and more.

It’s not just the kids who may need to evaluate how much time they spend on with technology and video games. Anyone, any age can find themselves losing hours glued to a screen, whether it’s video games, email, Facebook or watching Netflix. Research now shows that the same part of the brain that responds to drugs and alcohol responds to our interaction with technology. With technology at our fingertips, including cell phones and video game consoles, how is society being affected? Prevention Specialist, Dan Pfost talks with Jennifer Kaucher about the Teens & Technology program offered through the Council on Chemical Abuse, and the importance of education in the classroom to include technology addiction and gaming. Listen in as Dan discusses what topics he talks about to students, including why do we like games like Grand Theft Auto, and how are video games like gambling.

What is the number 1 drug used by youth between the ages of 12-18? If your guess is marijuana or cigarettes, you are incorrect. Alcohol is highly used among youth and it continues to have popularity in all areas of our community. Alcohol is available through friends and family. Underage drinking is a crime punishable by fines and other penalties and sanctions.

Officer Kevin Rudy knows too well the consequences and negative outcomes as a result of underage drinking. He joins Yvonne Stroman to engage in a frank conversation about underage drinking in the community and on college campus and a program that is available to help youth and parents gain insight and information into the harmful effects of underage drinking.

Developing partnerships and collaborative communities are essential ingredients to building resilient youth. Dr. Jill Hackman, Executive Director of Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) and Board Member for the Council on Chemical Abuse says partnering with the Council on Chemical Abuse has helped her and the BCIU become better stewards to the 18 school districts in the county.

Through the offering of professional development trainings and technical assistance, teachers and school administrators are armed with valuable information, practical approaches and research based data that can be implemented in their schools. Additionally, schools are better prepared to assist students and families gain access to needed local services. Dr. Hackman encourages professionals, parents and community members to “find confidence to have the conversation” regarding the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs as well as other issues impacting the lives of our youth.

Council on Chemical Abuse Prevention Manager, Jackie Steed and Yvonne Stroman, Community Programs Specialist discuss the importance of prevention in our community and schools. Evidence Based curriculum such as LifeSkills is a fifteen session education program that addresses refusal skills, decision making and dangers related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, teen violence, bullying and peer pressure.

Middle School and High School students have access to this information in a classroom setting or at a playground or recreation park during the summer months. Schools welcome this invaluable information for their students, and in some instances, receive LifeSkills training to sustain its continuation for years to come.

According to Megan Faust, a Reading School District teacher, the kids have a lot of questions during their sessions of receiving LifeSkills, an evidence based curriculum for middle school youth that teaches refusal skills, self-esteem, decision making and the dangers of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs.

Megan is one of the teachers whose classroom is a part of the LifeSkills curriculum brought to schools by the Council on Chemical Abuse. Prevention Specialist Jennifer Kaucher, and Megan Faust, teacher at Northwest Middle School, discuss the benefits of students receiving LifeSkills curriculum, and how this education is empowering her students.