REACH Drug-Free Communities Coalition

03/03/2026

5:17 pm.

I was doing fine. Truly.
I had Monday in the bag.

Then I came home and the clean kitchen I had left looked like a family of 4 had made a 5-course meal.

And I reacted like we were in a full-blown emergency situation.
Over dirty dishes.

In reality, it wasn't about the dishes. It was about everything that came before it. In this article, Dr. Laura Markham talks about how we “gather kindling” all day — every small frustration stacking up quietly in the background.

She also gives some tips on learning to notice the kindling before it becomes a bonfire.

So I’m considering a light-hearted vow of yellibacy.

And maybe a sticker chart.

If you’ve ever felt this, this article is a good, grounding read:

Learn how to stop yelling at your kids with strategies from Dr. Laura Markham and Dr. Lynyetta Willis. Includes the Vow of Yellibacy and calming tools.

02/07/2026

We had a blast attending STEAMfastic Night with the The REACH After School Program. Nearly 25 families came out for a night of hands on learning, curiosity, and connection.

We love building lung models and watching students light up as they learn how breathing works. A huge thanks to the families, students, and community partners who came out to explore, create, and learn together!

12/03/2025

River Hawks are making way better choices than this drunken trash panda. Almost all River Hawks choose not to use alcohol and other substances.

A raccoon collapsed in the bathroom of the Ashland ABC Store Saturday morning, where he had ransacked shelves and drank multiple types of alcohol.

11/07/2025

Top needs at the pantry are shelf-stable milk, canned meat, complete shelf-stable meals, deodorant, jelly, and laundry detergent.

Our Little Free Pantry is being used multiple times a day and many community members have asked us to update them on what we may need once things get low.

The top movers are definitely shelf-stable milk, canned meat, and complete shelf-stable meals. We are out of nearly all of the above as well as deodorant, jelly, and laundry detergent.

10/30/2025

Your Mind Matters food drive!

Hello Skowhegan Area High School friends and families! Our SAHS club Your Mind Matters is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Food Drive. Please see the flyer for more information - thank you!

10/30/2025

10/29/2025

Skowhegan Area Middle School students are SLAYING IT with healthy choices! 💥
✔️ 9 out of 10 SAMS students choose to never use to***co, cannabis, or alcohol.
✔️ 7 out of 10 avoid places where those substances are used.
✔️ 7 out of 10 say they stay away because they don’t want to make unhealthy choices.

💥 Our students are SLAYING IT with healthy choices! 💥
✔️ 9 out of 10 SAMS students choose to never use to***co, cannabis, or alcohol.
✔️ 7 out of 10 avoid places where those substances are used.
✔️ 7 out of 10 say they stay away because they don’t want to make unhealthy choices.

This is Positive Social Norms in action—when we highlight what MOST students are already doing right, it strengthens those healthy decisions.

👉 Parents can help by:
➡️Pointing out and praising your child’s positive choices.
➡️Talking about strategies they use to avoid unhealthy situations.
➡️Reinforcing that saying “no” is normal and respected at SAMS.

09/22/2025

This campaign is about making the healthy majority visible. When youth (and adults!) see the truth, misperceptions shrink and healthy choices grow stronger.
👉 Parents can support by:
➡️Setting clear family rules and expectations—youth notice!
➡️Talking with your child about what “most kids” really do (and don’t do).
➡️Sharing your pride in their healthy choices.

💡 Which of these facts about SAMS students surprises you most?

✔️ Over 90% disapprove of substance use at their age.
✔️ 9 out of 10 students never use to***co, cannabis, alcohol, or other drugs.
✔️ Most SAMS parents set clear rules: No to***co or cannabis allowed.

This campaign is about making the healthy majority visible. When youth (and adults!) see the truth, misperceptions shrink and healthy choices grow stronger.

👉 Parents can support by:
➡️Setting clear family rules and expectations—youth notice!
➡️Talking with your child about what “most kids” really do (and don’t do).
➡️Sharing your pride in their healthy choices.

09/16/2025

Strive for 5! What motivates your student?

📚 Did you know? 99% of SAMS students say it’s important to take school seriously.

The top reasons they come to school:
👥 To see friends (83%)
🏆 To get good grades (75%)
👨‍👩‍👧 Because parents expect it (64%)

Attendance matters! These results line up with the school’s Strive for 5 campaign, reminding us that showing up every day sets students up for success.

👉 Parents can support by:
➡️Talking with your child about what motivates them to come to school.
➡️Celebrating both academic effort and friendships as valuable reasons to show up.
➡️Reinforcing that your expectations around attendance make a difference.

09/10/2025

🌍💛 Today is World Su***de Prevention Day 💛🌍

Every life matters. Today—and every day—we have the opportunity to remind one another that hope and help are always within reach. By starting conversations, checking in on friends, and reducing stigma, we can all play a role in preventing su***de.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.
📞 Call or text 9-8-8 to connect with the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline—available 24/7.
💬 Chat online at 988lifeline.org
for immediate support.
📲 In Maine, you can also reach out to the Maine Crisis Line at 1-888-568-1112.

Small gestures—like listening without judgment, asking how someone is really doing, or simply showing up—can make a big difference. 💙

Together, we can create a community where it’s safe to talk about hard things and where everyone feels supported.

***dePreventionDay #988

09/03/2025

💙 REACH is excited to team up with SAMS on their new Positive Social Norms Campaign!

Here’s the truth ➡️ Most SAMS students are making healthy choices and avoiding substances. But kids often think “everyone’s doing it”—and that misperception can add pressure.

That’s why posters with real data from SAMS students will be going up every couple weeks to highlight the healthy majority. If you are a parent of a teen, talk to them about the true norms. Non-use is also the norm among high school students. We'll be sharing data around this in the near future!

🌟 When kids know the true norm, they’re more likely to stick with positive choices. 🌟

🌟 Introducing the Positive Social Norms Campaign at SAMS 🌟

This year, Skowhegan Area Middle School is launching a substance use prevention effort called the Positive Social Norms Campaign. The idea is simple: when students know the true norms - that most of their peers make healthy choices - they're more likely to make those same positive choices.

Students took a survey last spring that shows the overwhelming majority of SAMS students DO NOT use substances and disapprove of someone their age using substances.

Every couple of weeks, new posters will go up in the school highlighting these positive norms and the strengths of our students. We'll also be sharing the messages here so parents and caregivers can join in.

👉 How Parents Can Support the Campaign:
➡️ Talk about the posters: Ask your child if they've seen the latest message and what they think about it.
➡️ Celebrate positive choices: Reinforce that most kids their age are making healthy decisions.
➡️ Correct misperceptions: If you hear "everyone is va**ng" or "all kids smoke pot," gently point out that the data shows otherwise.
➡️Be clear on rules: Strong parent expectations matter - students who know their parents don't allow use are far less likely to use.

Together, we can lift up the healthy majority of SAMS students and help reduce the pressures and risks that come from misperceptions. 💙