Litchfield Prevention Council

07/01/2026

☀️ July is UV Safety Awareness Month! ☀️

As we enjoy the peak of summer, it’s important to remember that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a primary cause of skin cancer. Protecting your skin is easy when you build a few simple habits into your daily routine:

✅ Apply Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Use SPF 30 or higher every single day, and reapply every two hours (or after swimming/sweating).
✅ Seek Shade: The sun's rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM.
✅ Gear Up: Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses that block UV rays, and lightweight, long-sleeved clothing when possible.

Protecting your skin today lowers your risk for a lifetime. Learn more about protecting yourself: cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/index.html

06/27/2026

Stop by and see us at the Litchfield Wellness Festival today at Community Field. It’s free and the positive energy is flowing.

We’re here until 4:30 … or head to our website to learn more. https://litchfieldprevention.org

05/13/2026

The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling Annual Recovery Retreat is coming up in June, right here in Litchfield. Learn more: https://ccpg.org/retreat/

CCPG Recovery Retreat
Date: June 19-21, 2026
Join CCPG’s 2nd Annual Recovery Retreat for a supportive weekend designed for individuals and families impacted by gambling harm. Through connection, education, and community, attendees will have the opportunity to recharge, share experiences, and continue their recovery journey in a welcoming environment.

Information & Registration:
ccpg.org/retreat

05/13/2026

We're in the middle of National Prevention Week (May 10-16, 2026), a public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations across the country that are preventing substance use — and promoting well-being. Learn more and get resources here: https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/prevention-week

03/27/2026

Susan B. Anthony Project outreach and prevention educators are presenting a free screening of the film "The Last Drop" at Oliver Wolcott Library (OWL) in Litchfield on Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m.

Being presented in partnership with the Litchfield Prevention Council and OWL, the screening will be followed by a panel discussion – and pizza will be provided!

"The Last Drop" tells the story of a young woman who links her mind with her boyfriend’s using a device that allows couples to relive shared memories. When she begins to notice troubling signs of abuse she had previously overlooked, she must find a way to escape before he manipulates those memories to his advantage.

"The Last Drop" is part of an international campaign designed to reveal the early signs of relationship abuse by taking viewers on a journey through the memories of real survivors.

The film and the discussion that follows offer an opportunity to explore the dynamics of abusive relationships and to better understand the warning signs. Emotional abuse and coercive control can be far more difficult to recognize than physical abuse and can leave lasting effects that are challenging to heal from.

While the event is free and open to the public, registration is required and may be done online here. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dtdw75f

OWL is located at 160 South St. See the website to learn more about the library. https://www.owlibrary.org/

See the Susan B. Anthony Project website to learn more about its mission to promote safety, healing, and growth for all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and advocacy for the autonomy of women and the end of interpersonal violence. https://sbaproject.org/

To learn more about the Litchfield Prevention Council and its work, reach out to Chair Gary Waugh by email at [email protected].

03/25/2026

The Litchfield Prevention Council, Litchfield PTO - CT, and Oliver Wolcott Library are co-sponsoring a Family Book Club event March 31 at 6 p.m. that’s open to the public and will continue the discussion about young people navigating the challenges of the “Screen Age.”

“As part of our ongoing work to empower our kids and our community to thrive during the ‘Screen Age,’ we will be doing a guided book discussion on The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt (author of The Anxious Generation) and Catherine Price,” the library’s event listing explains. “This new book for kids and tweens is a comprehensive guide for living a happy and exciting life that isn’t hijacked by a smartphone.”

The Amazing Generation is graphic-novel-style guide for 9–12 year-olds on navigating screen time and social media, according to Common Sense Media, which says, “It empowers kids to treat tech as a tool rather than a master, aiming to foster real-life adventures, friendships, and freedom over addictive, ‘greedy wizard’-designed platforms.”

Registration is required for those who plan to attend and may be done online here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dh86uch

Books are available to pick up at OWL, located at 160 South St., and pizza will be provided for all participants.

As part of the “Screen Age” initiative, the Prevention Council, PTO, and OWL partnered for a Screen Age Survival Kit for Parents/Caregivers panel discussion last May, and last April they co-sponsored a viewing of the elementary school age edition of the film “Screenagers,” followed by a discussion.

To learn more about the Litchfield Prevention Council and its work, reach out to Chair Gary Waugh by email at [email protected].

03/24/2026

Hope to see you March 31 at Bantam Cinema & Arts Center for the free screening of
Uprooting Addiction, a locally produced film about trauma, addiction & recovery.

Six people from Connecticut with vastly different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds explore the childhood traumas at the roots of their drug addictions, as local officials, activists, ordinary citizens, and experts offer solutions to a relentless public health crisis.

See the event listing for details and to reserve your spot.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uprooting-addiction-film-screening-at-bantam-cinema-tickets-1982207329482

Join us for this FREE event on March 31st at Bantam Cinema! Pre registration is required at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982207329482?aff=oddtdtcreator

Hope to see you there! 🍿

02/03/2026

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) recently announced that it has adopted 1-800-MY-RESET as the new National Problem Gambling Helpline™ number, designed to be memorable and easily accessible for the public.

The adoption of the new number strengthens national visibility for the helpline and supports NCPG’s ongoing network modernization efforts. 1-800-MY-RESET is neutral, non-stigmatizing, and user-defined, signaling that individuals can reach out for support at any point in their relationship with gambling. Calls to 1-800-MY-RESET will connect individuals to the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network, which serves as a single point of access to 24 contact centers across the United States, staffed by trained professionals who meet internationally recognized helpline quality standards. The National Problem Gambling Helpline™ is available 24/7, is free and confidential, and provides support and referrals to local resources.

Learn more here: https://www.ncpgambling.org/news/1-800-my-reset-announcement/

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) today announced it has adopted 1-800-MY-RESET as the new National Problem Gambling Helpline™ number. 1-800-MY-RESET is now live and operational to receive calls.

Read the statement: https://www.ncpgambling.org/news/1-800-my-reset-announcement/

01/05/2026

Every day is a new opportunity to make healthier decisions. Help is available for you or someone you know. Learn more: https://bit.ly/44Vzcs4