Catholic Charities and Orange County DA Hoovler Join Up to Launch New Youth Substance Use Prevention Initiative

Introducing Peachy the Prevention Elephant

GOSHEN – Youth substance use is particularly harmful to a developing adolescent brain and body, and substance use at an early age is an important predictor of substance use disorder later in life, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Teen substance use can impact judgement, slow reaction time, and cause difficulty in school, among the long-term effects. Education and communication are key factors in preventing youth substance use and addiction.

To promote communication and reinforce the importance of Social Host Laws in the work to prevent youth substance use, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster have joined forces to introduce an innovative new prevention program. In a press conference today, District Attorney Hoovler and Catholic Charities CEO Shannon Kelly introduced the newest member of the Catholic Charities Prevention team – Peachy, The Prevention Elephant.

Peachy is an innovative addition to Catholic Charities’ robust Prevention Services Program that uses evidence-based programs to help youth, family members, and the community engage in important conversations to prevent substance use and misuse before it becomes a larger issue. Support from the DA and other elected officials will highlight the importance of having these difficult conversations and remind parents and homeowners of their responsibilities under the Social Host Law, which makes it illegal for homeowners, or any host 18 years or older, to knowingly allow underage drinking or cannabis use at their home or a party, or to not take action to stop underage drinking once they find out about it.

“The legal age to drink alcohol or use cannabis is 21,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “It doesn’t matter if your kids and their friends are using at home, underage use is illegal, and violation of the Social Host Law comes with consequences. Addressing this issue can be difficult, that’s what’s great about this new prevention program from Catholic Charities. Having the actual elephant in the room can make it easier to address awkward topics – and Catholic Charities offers many resources to help parents and guardians start these conversations,” continued Hoovler.

Catholic Charities utilizes age appropriate, evidence-based programs to ensure that students have the life skills and resources they need to make good decisions, and that parents, school, and community members have the necessary information to promote positive physical and mental health and well-being for the youngest members of our community. Peachy is the newest addition to Catholic Charities line up of program offerings.

“It’s exciting to welcome Peachy to Catholic Charities,” said Shannon Kelly, CEO of Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster. “I’m very proud of our Prevention team and their creativity in tackling difficult, but important, subjects. As a mom to two sons, one who will soon be entering high school, I know there are many pressures and competing interests for a young person’s time and attention. I’m grateful for Prevention resources, like Peachy, that help to guide and inform so that these necessary conversations don’t have to be awkward,” added Kelly.

Francesca Bryson, Coalition Coordinator for TEAM Newburgh (a program for which Catholic Charities serves as fiscal and programmatic agent), explained that Peachy’s mission is to educate youth, parents, and community members on important topics – like the Social Host Law – in an engaging and memorable way. Peachy will be visiting schools and community groups and working with community coalitions as well as the Tri-City Youth Coalition, which includes students from Newburgh, Middletown, and Port Jervis. “It’s important to have those awkward conversations. They can make a positive difference in the life of a young person. So, embrace the elephant in the room – and things will turn out Peachy,” said Bryson.

Peachy is available to visit schools, community groups, and other events. To schedule, contact Francesca.Bryson@cccsos.org / 845.916.0622.

Cutline: (l-r) Shannon Kelly, CEO of Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, Francesca Bryson, Catholic Charities Coalition Coordinator for TEAM Newburgh, and Town of Goshen Chief of Police James Post, pose with Peachy the Prevention Elephant. Peachy is part of a new initiative launched by Catholic Charities to prevent youth substance use and increase awareness of the Social Host Law.