State, local leaders meet to find ways to curb substance misuse among New Hampshire youth

MANCHESTER, N.H. — State and local leaders came together Monday to try to find ways to curb youth substance misuse in New Hampshire.

The Youth CAN Coalition held a roundtable discussion in Claremont to focus on ways school, law enforcement and government leaders can work together to keep children away from the top two substances abused by youth: alcohol and marijuana.

"CAN" stands for "Claremont and Newport," the two towns where organizers are targeting their efforts to curb substance misuse among New Hampshire's youngest and most vulnerable groups.

Leaders said that changing the patterns of substance misuse can be as simple as preventing boredom by creating distractions for children, creating activities and opportunities to keep them engaged and away from negative influences.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said the roundtable discussion was dedicated to finding new, tangible answers to the problem.

"They're working with families to work together on things like trips to Celtics games and other activities, so kids can have alternative places they can go that are not high-risk behaviors," Shaheen said.

Shaheen said the Youth CAN Coalition is funded in part by a Drug-Free Communities grant that is aimed at targeting substance misuse issues across the Granite State.