You are your kids’ #1 influence. Talk to your kids about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. http://parentupvt.org/ The truth is that children care deeply about their parents’ opinions—even if they don’t show it directly. Tips for talking with your kids...
Community Leaders put their heads together in Townshend
The Leland & Gray Above the Influence students spent time with the Community Hope & Action group of Townshend this week to discuss community assets as well as concerns. Students spent almost all of March preparing to facilitate this dialogue and were able to...
It’s National Brain Awareness Week!
Marijuana may cause changes in the brain. Using marijuana weekly or more has been associated with doubling a teen’s risk for anxiety & depression. Why? Marijuana may cause changes in the brain’s amygdala, which regulates emotions including anxiety and fear. Learn...
Leland & Gray Addresses Rape Culture
This winter, Leland & Gray has taken on the important task of educating its students on the topics of sexual assault, teen dating violence, consent and bystander intervention. With generous support from the Women’s Freedom Center in Brattleboro and West...
THE TOWN IS “STICKERED” ONCE AGAIN
The Leland & Gray middle school Above the Influence group was at it again this past week, plastering the town with stickers! Each school year, local liquor retailors welcome our group into their stores to put stickers on their alcohol stock that remind folks not...
We almost missed the National Month of Impaired Driving!
Though we recognized this month-long campaign at Leland & Gray by sharing information via a bulletin board on the middle school level, we forgot to blog about it! Among high school students at Leland & Gray, more than 26% rode in the car with a drinking driver...
Campaign for Kids Winter Newsletter
Meeting Minutes July 2016
July 27th, 2:00-3:30pm WRVT Office, 24 Sawdust Alley, Townshend Meeting Minutes ATTENDEES: Kristin Cox (WRVT), Kate Venne (WRVT), Lori Thornton (Townshend resident), Thara Fuller (WCSU), Robin Rieske (VDH), Karren Meyer (L&G, Newfane resident) Time...
Have we gone too far?
I've been feeling super frustrated with Instagram lately...some of the posts I see on the "popular" tab are really offensive and hurtful. I would imagine that some of what I'm seeing could really hurt feelings and/or traumatize both youth and adults. Memes (humorous...
Drug Take Back Day; October 22, 2016
This year, the Drug Enforcement Administration is advertising a "Drug Take Back Day", taking place on October 22, 2016 between 10 am and 2 pm. This day aims to provide a convenient and safe way to dispose of your unused and out of date prescription pills, as well as...
Mixed Messages Targeting Youth
You have surely heard of the term, “Mixed Messages”. Our understanding of a mixed message is when someone is giving off a certain feeling or vibe but their actions do not match those feelings or vibes. Someone might say they enjoy spending time with us but when we ask them for attention, they do not show up or give us what we need. Someone may devour a meal we make for them but then communicate that it was the worst meal of their life. We encounter mixed messages daily.
Sometimes, mixed messages are harder to notice than other times and those other times, they can be incredibly obvious. But, did you know there are mixed messages targeted to children? Alcohol and tobacco companies create specific mixed messages of their products, their advertisements, and their product locations within stores to lure youth in, promote their product and make them think that use of their products isn’t unhealthy for them.
Some examples of these types of mixed messages are the location of alcohol beverages in stores. Notice that oftentimes, there are alcoholic beverages directly next to non-alcoholic beverages such as iced tea that you might allow your child(ren) to have. Or how packaging on cases of beer or vape and tobacco products is colorful and eye-catching? This isn’t for you! This is for youth!
Tobacco and alcohol companies use these advertising tactics to attract youth. This is how they ensure future users of their products. They may associate their products with familiar items such as movies, cartoon characters, and celebrities or candy and snacks, making their brand appealing to youth and enticing them to try their products. These tactics reduce youths’ perception of harm when these types of products are directly marketed toward kids making the individual feel that the product must be fun and maybe even good for them.
When adult products are placed next to products that are for anyone to consume, it can be hard to recognize. Be sure to always check the labels on the product you are purchasing for your child(ren). For example, if you are buying an iced tea beverage, double check the can or bottle to make sure it does not state HARD or ALCOHOLIC. Sometimes, it can be hard to notice these details.
Below are some examples of mixed messages. It is important for adults to talk to the youth and young adults in their lives to help them recognize and understand that though the products may seem harmless and fun based on their appearance or placement in a store, they are not.