The Groton Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (GASP)

Take the GASP Parent Pledge!

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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.

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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