LIVE Coalition Newsletter – April 2025

What is LIVE?

Mission: To unify all members of our community in creating conditions that foster resilience, reduce substance misuse, and promote mental health and well-being. We are dedicated to preventing substance misuse and suicide through community-wide collaboration, education, and the strengthening of supportive networks for all residents.

Vision: A community free from stigma and the generational impact of substance misuse, where every individual feels supported on their journey toward a healthier, brighter future.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Teenage Brain?

Alcohol consumption during adolescence can significantly disrupt brain development, leading to lasting cognitive and behavioral issues. The adolescent brain undergoes critical growth, including synaptic pruning and increased white matter volume, essential for efficient neural connections. Introducing alcohol during this period can interfere with these processes, potentially resulting in long-term changes to brain structure and function. ​

One area particularly vulnerable to alcohol’s effects is the hippocampus, responsible for memory and learning. Alcohol can damage or destroy hippocampal cells, leading to memory impairments and learning difficulties. Studies have shown that adolescents who drink heavily may have a smaller hippocampus compared to their non-drinking peers. ​

Additionally, alcohol can disrupt the function of the amygdala, a brain region involved in processing emotions and sensing danger. This disruption can impair decision-making and impulse control, making it more challenging for adolescents to assess risks and make sound judgments.

Furthermore, heavy drinking during adolescence is associated with accelerated reductions in gray matter and hindered increases in white matter volume, both of which are crucial for cognitive functions and neural communication.

Given these findings, it is evident that alcohol consumption during adolescence poses significant risks to brain development, potentially leading to enduring cognitive and behavioral challenges.

REMEMBER:

• Alcohol slows down brain activity, and its negative effects last longer in a teenager’s brain than in an adult’s.

  
  

• Teenagers risk the normal development of good judgment and impulse control when using alcohol.

  
  

• Underage drinking can damage the memory and learning areas of the brain.

  
  

• Exposure to alcohol while the brain is still developing can lead to long-term emotional problems and difficulty with learning, planning, and memory.

  
  

• Binge drinking can cause the brains of young people to develop more slowly.

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/alcohol-and-brain-overview?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Updates from LIVE Staff

April 2025

In March, the LIVE Coalition remained active in various initiatives and community events. The month began with a full membership coalition meeting, bringing together members to discuss ongoing efforts and future plans to prevent youth substance use in Henry County. Subcommittees focusing on alcohol awareness, mental health and suicide prevention, and tobacco/vaping prevention convened to collaborate on targeted strategies. LIVE participated in the Blue River Health Fair, providing valuable resources and information to attendees. Additionally, the coalition was involved in the Addictions Coalition of Delaware County Symposium, contributing to discussions on substance use disorder. The Youth Advisory Board held a meeting to continue empowering young leaders in advocacy and prevention efforts. LIVE also engaged with the You Thrive consultant to enhance program effectiveness and participated in ACT (Ask, Counsel, Treat) training, which focused on youth vaping prevention. Through these activities, the coalition strengthened its outreach, education, and community impact.

Finally, after extensive training, planning and collaboration, LIVE in partnership with the Henry County Health Department and Susan Lightfoot of ARIES Henry County (Abuse-Reduction-Intervention-Education-Support) have started rolling out the “Too Good for Drugs” initiative for second-grade classrooms across Henry County. This initiative will ensure that all students receive the valuable education “Too Good for Drugs” provides. The goal of the curriculum is to empower young students with the knowledge and tools to make informed, healthy choices that lead to substance-free lives from an early age. Prevention is essential to creating lasting change!

LIVE members and staff continue reaching out to schools, local non-profits, businesses, and community members to promote the LIVE Coalition. If you have any ideas or suggestions, or would like us to present at an event, please feel free to contact Shay or Miranda at: [email protected] or [email protected].

LIVE VAPE FREE 2025

Join Us for Upcoming Events!

Looking Ahead:

April 1-May 30- “Too Good for Drugs” for Henry County 2nd graders

April 3 – Aspin Health Navigator Meeting

April 9  – Subcommittee Meetings

Alcohol Awareness – https://zoom.us/j/93753531330

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention – https://zoom.us/j/96255942546

Tobacco/Vaping – https://zoom.us/j/96885975469

April 18 – Good Friday-Henry County Offices Closed

April 21 – You Thrive Consultant Meeting –

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88176410897?pwd=bvcVWsXGWJlhbZLsDKWFESBGFDsXnk.1

April 23 – LIVE Executive Board Meeting

April 16 – YAB Meeting

April 23 – YAB Presentation at Henry County Commissioners Meeting

May 3 – Climate Festival – Climate Festival | Henry County Healthy

May 7 – Live Coalition Meeting-Full Membership

LIVE Coalition Partners with New Castle Middle School

to Launch Vaping Prevention Program

The LIVE Coalition is excited to announce a new partnership with New Castle Middle School to implement CATCH My Breath, an evidence-based vaping prevention curriculum. This initiative is part of our ongoing Live Vape-Free campaign, aimed at providing early intervention and education to prevent youth vaping.

With the support of New Castle Middle School and the instrumental leadership of Stephen Sullivan, we successfully launched a pilot program with 18 students participating. The course was led by Miranda Wright and Shay Bex, who guided students through engaging discussions and activities designed to educate them on the risks of vaping and the importance of making healthy choices. Feedback from the students was positive, reinforcing the need for proactive education in this area.

The LIVE Coalition’s goal is to expand this initiative to all school districts in Henry County, ensuring that more students receive vital information and support to resist the pressures of vaping. By equipping young people with knowledge and strategies, we hope to create a lasting impact on youth health and well-being.

We are looking for additional schools, organizations, and community groups to partner with us in delivering this crucial program. If you are interested in bringing CATCH My Breath to your school or organization, please reach out to LIVE Coalition. Together, we can empower our youth to make informed, healthy decisions and continue building a vape-free future for Henry County.

How to Join L;VE Coalition!

Fill out our member application below! Our full coalition meets bi-monthly. Subcommittees meet monthly. Subcommittees include alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, and mental health/suicide prevention. Just let us know what you’re interested in on the form!