Center for Prevention Services to Reveal Data - Largest Ever Youth Drug Survey in Mecklenburg County

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Aug. 24, 2018 - PRLog -- Center for Prevention Services' (https://www.preventionservices.org) proprietary Youth Drug Survey (YDS) assesses the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs; as well as youth perception of risk associated with these substances; perceptions regarding peer and parental beliefs surrounding substance use; and intentions for future use. The Center for Prevention Services has administered the YDS in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) for over 30 years, providing our county with longitudinal data regarding substance use among county youth. Data collected from the YDS will be used to support prevention efforts for the children and families of Mecklenburg County.

CPS is one of the oldest free-standing prevention agencies in the nation and has a history of defining prevention through community intervention and science-based educational programs. CPS maintains one of the nation's longest-running longitudinal studies relative to youth drug use, the Youth Drug Survey. CPS offers FREE programs for schools, summer camps, after-school sites, faith-based organizations, and other community settings. Programs are also offered for adults and seniors. Most programs are available in Spanish.

The Center for Prevention Services is grateful for the support of CMS, UNCC, Mecklenburg County Health Department, Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center, Teen Health Connection, Alianza, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Drug-Free Coalition for their support and assistance with the administration of the Youth Drug Survey. Through this joint effort, CPS was able to offer the YDS electronically for the first time this year, which resulted in a significant increase in the number of students who were able to participate. For the 2018 administration of the YDS, CPS received over 10,000 responses from students in the CMS School District.

Center for Prevention Services would like to extend an invitation to members of the community, school personnel, elected officials, media, and business partners to join us as we present the results of the 2018 Youth Drug Survey. Also, CPS, our non-profit partners, and community coalitions will discuss what we are doing to address substance use issues in our community. The event will culminate in a community conversation about the substance use issues our youth are facing and an opportunity to join local organizations in addressing these challenges.

When: Friday, October 19 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Breakfast and registration begin at 8 a.m.

Where: Project 658, located at 3646 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC

Registration: Register for free at YDS Registration through Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/release-of-the-2018-youth-dr...)

Media and Community Contact: Angela Allen, Executive Director, CPS, at allen@preventionservices.org

ABOUT CENTER FOR PREVENTION SERVICES
Charlotte-based Center for Prevention Services (CPS) is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, delivering progressive prevention-based education across five counties in the greater Charlotte region. CPS promotes healthy living and addiction prevention through integrated approaches to health. The organization focuses on the "before" … before substance use occurs, and before addiction takes hold.