Substance Abuse Prevention Programs Give Middletown Parents Food for Thought

The Middletown Substance Abuse and Prevention Task Force (SAPTF) has been busy organizing community events guided by this food for thought: "Family meals are often the perfect time to talk to kids and hear what’s on their minds. The more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs."

Last week’s held in the Gaudet Middle School on Sept. 26 was a collaboration between the SAPTF and the . The event provided a four-course dinner comprised of a “rainbow” of healthy foods, along with entertainment that included storytelling, a magical performance by and more. Most importantly, it gave parents and children quality dinner time together, all free-of-charge.

“It was truly a great time and we got awesome feedback,” said Lori Verderosa, coordinator of the Middletown Substance Abuse and Prevention Task Force. The event could not have been pulled off without the volunteers and local businesses that helped out, she said, as she extended her thanks to the community.

“There were many volunteers who also assisted from cutting up fruits and veggies, manning the sign-in table, cleaning up and doing many other tasks to make a great event come to fruition," Verderosa said in an email. She added, "It was truly a celebration of family."

This year’s program “Eat a Rainbow Every Day” set out to help promote the benefits of eating healthy foods from the colors of the rainbow.

Sharyn Singer, the author and developer of the "Eat a Rainbow" program, and Cindy the Rainbow Wizard storyteller also were on hand to help make the night a success.

The “Family Dinner Night” movement across the United States as a prevention tool was launched in 2001 by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, according to Verderosa. The programs set out to encourage parents to use frequent family dinners as an effective engagement tool to foster open communication and quality time with children and help keep America’s children substance free.

Coming Up Next Week!

Hot off the success of the Second Annual Family Dinner Night last week, the SAPTF has another program ready to roll out. "Guiding Good Choices" is a five-session series open to parents of children in grades 4-6. 

Dinner will be provided free of charge by a local restaurant or caterer and free childcare with entertainment will be provided for children ages 4 and older.

The program will be held at the . It begins Oct. 11 and runs weekly through Nov. 8.

See the attached flyer in the image gallery above for complete details.