Above the Influence students recently completed a "community scan" at a local gas station/convenience store. Using their knowledge of the tricky marketing techniques used by tobacco and alcohol companies, they assessed how those images and messages can negatively impact the youth in their community by normalizing substance use. Here are some excerpts from ATI students’ Like-Wonder-Wish list debrief after our retailer visit: 


“We like that you have a lot of “We I.D.” signs.” 

“We wonder if you can raise the height of your ads to grown-up height.” 

“We wish that 75% of your windows outside were not covered in alcohol and tobacco ads.” 

• The Winooski Partnership for Prevention wants to better understand the opinions and perceptions of parents and guardians about substances like tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis/marijuana.  Parents/Caregivers with students in grades 5-12 in Winooski can access this important, anonymous survey beginning on April 8th on our website:  www.winooskiprevention.org.  For interpretation services, please contact WSD ML Liaisons.  As a thank you for participating, a gift card for $30 is available for the first 20 parents/guardians with 5th-12th grade students who complete all questions April 8-15.  One survey participant per household, please.  

• If you are interested in participating in a 1.5-hour discussion focus group about substance behaviors and perceptions in Winooski, you may register on our website beginning after April 8. Interpretation services will be available. All participant volunteers who are selected to help us best learn a wide variety of perspectives from the Winooski community will receive $50 gift cards as an appreciation for their time.