Central MetroWest Substance Awareness & Prevention Collaborative

04/14/2026

Marlborough Alliance for Prevention (MAP) Coalition member, Dawn Parrington, tabled at the Wellness Fair at Whitcomb Middle School in Marlborough on April 9th. Thanks for sharing information and resources about our "Talk Early, Talk Often" campaign. .

04/10/2026

At a recent community retreat, parents had the chance to hear from CMSAPC about how cannabis has changed and the impact it can have on young people today. Their reaction?

“We thought we knew… but we need to learn more.”

In just a short conversation, it became clear that many adults are working from outdated information and that new, accurate knowledge can completely shift how they approach these conversations.

Because when adults:
✔ Revisit what they think they know
✔ Stay open to new information
✔ Seek out resources and support
They become better equipped to guide their kids through real-life decisions.

That’s what Talk Early. Talk Often. is all about: helping adults move from assumption → understanding → action. It’s never too late to learn something new. And it’s never too early to start the conversation!

04/09/2026

💬 Have you had conversations about va**ng or cannabis products yet?

One of the biggest challenges communities are facing right now when it comes to substance misuse: Access.

With the rise of v**e devices, cannabis products are easier to use — and easier to share — than ever before. Many don’t require preparation, don’t have a strong smell, and can be passed between peers quickly and discreetly. That ease of access can make a big difference, especially for young people.

These products often contain higher levels of THC, and it can be difficult to know how much is being used in a single moment. That uncertainty can increase the risk of negative experiences, particularly for youth who may not fully understand what they’re using.

That’s why awareness matters:
✔ Understanding what these products look like
✔ Knowing how they’re used
✔ Keeping open, judgment-free conversations going

The more informed adults are, the better we can support young people in making safe, healthy decisions!

04/07/2026

💬 What’s one way you keep conversations open with the young people in your life?

Today’s cannabis is very different from what many adults remember. Products are often more potent, which can increase the risk of negative effects ... especially for young or first-time users.

That’s why prevention starts with conversation. Young people are incredibly impressionable in both positive and negative ways. As adults, we have an opportunity to guide them with clear, honest, and age-appropriate information.

The goal isn’t fear, it’s understanding.

✔ What cannabis is
✔ How it’s changed
✔ Why delaying use matters

The Talk Early. Talk Often. campaign is here to help make those conversations easier — and more effective.

Start early. Stay consistent. Keep it real.

04/06/2026

Come check out our “ Talk Early. Talk Often.” table during then Open House tomorrow! At Hudson High from 4-6!

It’s National Public Health Week! 🎉🩺

Join us as we celebrate the power of public health and the impact it has on our everyday lives — from the air we breathe to the services that keep our community safe and healthy.

This year’s theme, “Ready. Set. Action!”, is all about coming together and taking steps—big and small—to build a healthier future for all.

The Hudson Health Department is excited to bring a full week of events to our community:

📚 Public Health StoryWalk (all week!) with the Hudson Public Library
💊 Narcan Training
🏫 Public Health Open House
🧘 Free Yoga Sculpt Class at the Hudson MA Senior Center
🩸 Blood Drive with Hudson Massachusetts Police Department

Whether you join us for one event or all of them, there’s something for everyone!

✨ Don’t forget to stop by our Open House to complete your punch card for a chance to win a raffle prize!

Public health is all around us—and it starts with each of us. We hope to see you there! 💙

04/06/2026

Talking about cannabis can feel uncomfortable, especially with so many mixed messages out there. But starting early and keeping the conversation going can make a meaningful difference in preventing or delaying use.

Emily Brideaux is the Program Coordinator at Southborough Youth & Family Services and a proud partner of the Talk Early. Talk Often. campaign. In this clip, she shares an important reminder: you don’t have to have all the answers to start the conversation and you’re not expected to figure it all out on your own.

The campaign offers resources to support parents and caregivers, including:
✔ Common questions young people ask
✔ Guidance on how to respond
✔ Tips for ongoing, age-appropriate conversations

This work is stronger because of community partners like Southborough Youth & Family Services — working together to support families across MetroWest.

Start the conversation. Keep it going. It matters.

03/28/2026

Many adults compare today’s cannabis to what they experienced years ago but the reality is, the landscape has changed significantly. Today’s cannabis products are often much more potent, with higher levels of THC than in past decades. That increased potency can raise the risk of negative effects, especially for young people and developing brains.

Another common misconception? That cannabis isn’t addictive. While not everyone who uses cannabis develops a problem, cannabis use disorder is real and some individuals can experience dependence and other negative health effects.

In some cases, high-potency use has also been linked to more serious short-term effects like nausea, anxiety, or confusion. That’s why honest, up-to-date conversations matter.

When adults understand how cannabis has changed, they’re better equipped to guide young people with accurate information, not outdated assumptions.

03/27/2026

You don’t have to have all the answers. One of the biggest reasons adults avoid talking about substance use?
They’re not sure what to say… or they’re worried about saying the wrong thing.

But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters most is that you start the conversation and keep it going.

The Talk Early. Talk Often. message is simple for a reason:
✔ Start early
✔ Keep showing up
✔ Be honest and age-appropriate

Because even when it doesn’t seem like it… young people are listening. What you say does matter. And you’re not in this alone. There are resources. There are other parents. There are community partners who want to support you in having these conversations.

It’s okay to learn as you go. It’s okay to not get it perfect. Trying, and staying connected, goes a long way.

💬 What’s one conversation you’ve been meaning to start with your family?

03/26/2026

It’s something we hear all the time, from both teens and adults: “Everyone is doing it anyway…”

But it’s not true.

Data from the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey shows that the majority of young people are not using substances. In fact, roughly 75% of high school students report not drinking alcohol in the past month and similar patterns exist for cannabis, ni****ne, and other substances.

So where does the misconception come from? Perception.

Young people often overestimate how many of their peers are using and that perceived pressure can make it feel like they need to “keep up,” even when most of their peers aren’t using at all.

Adults fall into this trap too. But when we correct the narrative, it changes everything:
✔ Less perceived pressure
✔ More confidence to say no
✔ Healthier decision-making

The truth is powerful and sharing it matters.

💬 Did this stat surprise you?

03/25/2026

Meet the team behind Ashland’s Department of Prevention & Human Services. They are a valuable part of our CMSAPC team and do a lot of great work!

From youth programming and mental health resources to food access and emergency assistance, their team works every day to support the health, safety, and well-being of the Ashland community.

Take a moment to learn more about they we are and what they do!

Ashland Prevention & Human Services
Decisions At Every Turn Coalition

03/25/2026

“They’re not listening anyway…”

It’s one of the most common things parents say... and one of the biggest misconceptions. The truth? Young people are listening… even when it doesn’t look like it.

Young people are always watching:
📱 How you manage stress
💬 How you talk about mental health
🍷 How you approach substances
👀 Even how present you are in everyday moments

Research continues to show that parents and trusted adults are one of the biggest influences on whether a young person chooses to use substances. Your voice matters more than you think.

That’s exactly why Talk Early. Talk Often. exists: to remind adults that these conversations aren’t one-time lectures. They’re ongoing, evolving, and incredibly impactful. And it’s not just what you say… it’s what you do.

They learn from it all. You don’t have to be perfect, but being intentional makes a difference.

Start the conversation. Keep it going. They’re listening.

💬 What’s one small way you model healthy behavior at home?

03/24/2026

💬 What does “a healthy community” mean to you?

Lizzy Chalfin, from the Natick Health Department and the Natick 180 Coalition, shares what it means to give back to the same community that raised her and how prevention, education, and recovery are all part of the same conversation.

Substance use doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s connected to mental health, access to resources, community support, and the systems that shape everyday life.

That’s why coalitions like Natick 180, and partners across MetroWest, take a full-spectrum approach:
✔ Prevention
✔ Education
✔ Treatment & recovery support

Because when we talk early, support often, and stay connected as a community, we create environments where young people (and adults) can make healthier choices.