GASP

GASP – The Groton Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention

Take the GASP Parent Pledge!

Our mission: To build a healthy, safe and drug-free community through advocacy and education

Our goals:

  • To increase the number of Groton youth participating in programs that build protective factors from using a combination of science-based and other effective programs.
  • To intervene to reduce and prevent substance abuse of all drugs among Groton youth.

GASP was formed in July 1999 to address substance abuse in our community among our youth population (12-18 years of age). The coalition represents a collaboration of several dedicated, local agencies, parents, teens, and other interested community members:

  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Child & Family Agency
  • Community Speaks Out
  • Country Glen Apartments
  • Ella T. Grasso Technical School
  • Groton City & Town Police Departments
  • Groton Human Services
  • Groton Parks & Rec. Department
  • Groton Public Library
  • Groton Public Schools
  • LEARN
  • Ledge Light Health District
  • Life Happens, LLC
  • Mystic Arts Center
  • Natchaug Care Plus
  • NLON Sub Base Youth Center
  • Parents
  • Safe Futures
  • SCADD
  • SECT Regional Action Council
  • School Based Health Center
  • Shine a Light on Heroin
  • STEPS, Inc.
  • Students
  • The Connection-Mother’s Retreat

GASP is funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and the Southeastern Regional Action Council (SERAC).

Tips for Keeping Your Teen’s Party Alcohol-Free

  • Work with your teen on a guest list ahead of time and set a limit on the number of attendees.
  • Ask teens to leave purses or backpacks in locked cars or at the front door. Discourage teens from going back and forth from your home to their cars.
  • Lock up any alcohol in your home
  • Provide plenty to keep them entertained. Use TV, swimming pool, video games, karaoke machines, etc.
  • Provide plenty of space for them to hang out comfortably where you can see them but not hover over them.
  • Do not use a punch bowl or pitchers.
  • Monitor behavior by circulating your home and interacting with teens.
  • Never let a teen you believe to be impaired drive home.

For more information, visit bethewall.org

Helpful Resources