Portsmouth schools start conversation on substance use

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Portsmouth Prevention Coalition newsletter.

In an e-mail sent to parents this afternoon, Portsmouth interim Supt. Barbara McGann highlighted the importance of "open, honest family conversations" around the use of drugs and alcohol, and shared the inaugural issue of a newsletter developed by the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition.

Said McGann, "I am providing the first issue of Reaching Out, developed by the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition, to you, our families, with a personal appeal that you join this conversation. I hope use of this and each subsequent issue become a ritual in your home for conversations about this important life changing issue. Together, we can make Portsmouth a safer and healthier place for every one of our students and their families."

The newsletter draws on research conducted earlier this year which assessed the prevalence of drug and alcohol use among Portsmouth students.

Full disclosure: Written primarily from the referenced materials.