Restaurants serve up support for youth substance abuse prevention

HealthFood & Drink

Sep 5

Written By Staff

As part of National Family Meals Month in September, TalkSooner is teaming up with area pizzerias and restaurants across West Michigan for "Any Way You Slice It, Prevention Matters." The promotion is created to inspire parents to have a conversation about substance abuse prevention with their child.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, research studies show that eating together regularly can reduce the chance of a child or teen engaging in risky behaviors such as using tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. TalkSooner has partnered with several pizzerias across a 7-county area to inspire customers to come together for family meals and conversation.

More than 2,500 promotional fliers will be served up with pizza orders this month, as well as over 3,000 complimentary TalkSooner pizza cutters available in-store, while supplies last.

"Pizza represents that easy, portable, and informal meal that fits into almost any busy schedule," said Amy Embury, Prevention Manager, Lakeshore Regional Entity (LRE). "It's all about having those fun moments and conversation together, but also checking in with your children on important topics like teen drug use."

Participating pizzerias include:

Cadena Brothers, Cloversville
Don Petrino's Pizzeria, Holland
Chuck Wagon, Ludington
Russo's, Wyoming
Golden Sands Golf Course & Bucket Bar, Mears
Craig's Cruisers, Muskegon and Holland
C D's Quik Mart, Hopkins
Pompeii's, Baldwin

"We're thrilled to be part of anything that helps strengthen families and our community," said Mike Russo, Owner, Russo's in Wyoming.

Founded in 2007, TalkSooner is the product of multiple county coalitions in Michigan, working together to send out a common message to parents of youth ages 10-18 about alcohol, tobacco, and other substances. For talking tips, trends and more, visit www.talksooner.org

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