Leland and Gray: Rocktoberfest

Every year Leland and Gray Union Middle and High school puts on an event called "Rocktoberfest", to kick off the start of fall. The event takes place here on school campus, where there are many fun activities, such as music, a fire, a bouncy house, dancing and more....

Marijuana use high amongst teens in the WCSU

Marijuana use high amongst teens in the WCSU

According to the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior survey, 1 in 4 high school students in the WCSU have smoked marijuana in the past 30 days. The good news is, this number has decreased slightly since 2013. The bad news? 25% of kids is still a high percentage! Marijuana use...

Parent Shoutout!

Parent Shoutout!

Though school is out, our prevention work continues! This summer has been filled with farmer's markets, SEEK camp and a conference in Alabama for our Thrives staff. This week however, we are back in the office and feeling a bit disconnected from the West River Valley...

Parent Up VT!

Parent Up VT!

Parent Up VT is a great resource for parents of teens. Check out their website here for cool interactive tools, videos, infographics and other resources for addressing concerns around teenage drug and alcohol use. Here's one of our favorite videos: Tips from Parents...

Celebrating a great school year!

Celebrating a great school year!

Dear Friends, As I reflect on the work of West River Valley Thrives over the past year, I am reminded of our challenges, encouraged by our successes, and hopeful as I look toward the future of the coalition. Thrives has experienced some significant transitions this...

Meeting Minutes March

Time Topic Discussion Action 12:00 Sign in and refreshments ATTENDEES: Kristin Cox (WRVT), Kate Venne (WRVT), Dale Stevens (Leland & Gray), Kathy Squires (Townshend Food Shelf), Robin Rieske (VT Dept of Health), Kimberley Diemond (Big Brothers Big Sisters)  ...

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. 

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