Parents and families looking for something fun to do this summer have a resource in an Alternative Activity Directory updated by New Opportunities’ prevention department. Alternative Activities promote skills or knowledge that might cause participants to refrain from future alcohol and drug use. They occupy free time that may otherwise be idle or unstructured. Typically, alternative activities can provide meaningful involvement in the community.
Over the past few months New Opportunities Prevention consultants have gathered resources and ideas from area communities to update the previous Alternative Activities Directory. The result of these efforts is a much larger listing of alternative activities which includes available alternative activities listed by county to include contact information to get more information or get involved. This directory can be found on the New Opportunities website at www.newopp.org under the County Resources tab.
The Alternative Activities Guide was made possible by being a part of the IDPH Integrated Provider Network, with services funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. More information about the project is available at www.newopp.org under the Prevention tab (select Integrated Provider Network).
New Opportunities Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Departments offer information, education, and consultation services to schools, businesses, and community -based groups, many of which are free of charge. Persons who have updates or suggestions for the Alternative Activities Guide and/or are interested in learning more on this or other substance abuse topics, can contact Nancy Rowedder, prevention supervisor, at nrowedder@newopp.org. or call 712-792-9266.
