Kratom and 7-OH: What Is It and What Should You Know?
Kratom has been swirling around the scene for quite a few years, with some peaks and valleys of awareness in Ulster County. You may have seen the signs around town—stickers on gas pumps saying, “Kratom Inside.” Posters on the windows with big letters: KRATOM. Maybe you didn’t know what it was. It can be marketed […]
Seeking Adult Voices
As we promoted in our blog last week, we have been urging all youth from Ulster County in grades 9th through 12th to complete, by December 1st, the Youth Prevention Survey that we have partnered with the Ulster County Department of Mental Health to push out in order to access the needs of our youth. […]
2026 Youth Prevention Survey
Every two years, Ulster Prevention Council spearheads the Ulster County Youth Development Survey to the youth in Ulster County, ages 9th through 12th grades. Historically, this has been pushed through the schools where students have filled out a short anonymous questionnaire in Scantron form or electronically. The questions asked are regarding substance misuse and mental […]
Hidden in Plain Sight?
This week has seen Ulster Prevention Council stepping foot inside the schools for our first school events of the year! Freshman orientation brought us into Kingston, Highland, and Rondout Valley High Schools, where we were able to see many parents who were new to high school (and many seasoned parents) and some of our students […]
Does Modified Risk Need to Be Modified?
Rich Berry. Autumn Spice. Cappuccino. Citrus. Cinnamon. These aren’t drinks at Starbucks, but flavors of ZYN nicotine pouches recently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing under the favorable new designation as a “Modified Risk Tobacco Product.” As of June, ZYN is the first brand to be able to market their […]
As Summer Comes to An End . . .
As we reach mid-August and our last few weeks of summer before Labor Day, it is important to realize the dangers that can be prevalent in the freedom and carefree fun that summer can offer to the youth. This can lead to the increase or initiation of alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine usage. Several factors can […]
Blueberry Festival, Here We Come!
As the temperature rises to sweltering highs (as it does in August), UPC is looking forward to being part of one of Ulster County’s favorite festivals, Ellenville’s annual Blueberry Festival. We haven’t participated in the festival since before the pandemic, and we are anticipating all the blueberry-themed vendors as well as seeing some familiar partners! […]
Get to Know Us: Prevention Educators
We are almost halfway through summer and in the midst of preparing for a very busy 2026-2027 school year with an updated evidence-based program that we currently use in the classroom, Too Good for Drugs, that has recently been renamed Maximizing Life. We are very pleased with the name change, as well as the more […]
Summer Media Challenge Deep Dive: Interview with the Educators of UPC About the Challenge
It was so wonderful to be able to meet with all three Prevention Educators and get a deeper understanding, and some good advice, about the Summer Media Contest. It is such a fun contest to do during the summer and super easy to accomplish while you are out having fun during your day. You can […]
Snap the Moment, Share the Meaning!
Summer is not only a time for having fun outside and taking vacations—it’s all about the moments. I am sure, no matter what age you are, you have fond memories of summers, past or present, when you had fun adventures, whether you took far journeys to other countries or just stayed local. Maybe you went […]
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Happy Independence Day! It is America’s 250th Birthday and something to celebrate. However, with that celebration, comes parties and events that contain alcohol and other substances that can not only tempting to the youth, but dangerous. It is easy for teens to see their parents, family members, older siblings, and friends partaking in the festivities […]
Welcome to Our Blogs!
Summer has arrived and the weather is starting to heat up! So is our new website—it’s heating up with our new blogs! Let me introduce you to our inaugural blog entry! This is something exciting on our newly designed website and something we will be doing on a weekly basis. This is a way for […]
Hidden in Plain Sight
Knowledge is power. Let’s educate ourselves. As a parent of a teen who may be using drugs, you might feel powerless. However, there are things that you can do to help your teen. You have resources designed to help prevent and treat substance disorders, and to help bring awareness to paraphernalia that may be hiding […]