GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — South Berkshire Youth Coalition is sponsoring a community action meeting on risky behaviors on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Comfort Inn.

The event will include a presentation on the results of 2009 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey. The survey not only measures alcohol and other drug use, but also suicide, and cutting and other behaviors among youth.
 
The survey measures the risk and protective factors that lead to risky behavior like substance use. To prevent a problem from happening, it is necessary to identify the risk factors that increase the likelihood of that problem occurring. Risk factors include but are not limited to availability of drugs, low neighborhood attachment, low commitment to school and the like. Protective factors have a positive influence on potential risky behavior. Protective factors include but are not limited to family attachment and opportunities and rewards for good deeds.
 
During the meeting, participants will break into small problem-solving groups to discuss strategies to combat drug and alcohol use in South County, which will allow for a lot of back-and-forth discussion.
               
This event is the culmination of a yearlong project that included the community assessment and a capacity-building phase. This is an opportunity for community members to learn about current drug and alcohol trends in South Berkshire County, learn about the different strategies SBYC plans to implement and to offer input on combating these trends.
               
Founded in 2001, South Berkshire Youth Coalition is a substance-abuse prevention organization committed to reducing substance abuse in South County overall and specifically in youth. SBYC combats substance abuse by building community relationships and by addressing the community trends that lead to substance use. For more information, call 413-528-1919.