Central MetroWest Substance Awareness & Prevention Collaborative

Central MetroWest Substance Awareness & Prevention Collaborative CMSAPC consists of Ashland, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Northborough, Southborough & Westborough Massachusetts. We want every young person to thrive!

We aim to unite communities through connection & collaboration to prevent youth substance use/misuse.

Many caregivers worry about starting conversations too early. Here’s a helpful perspective: early doesn’t mean intense. ...
02/22/2026

Many caregivers worry about starting conversations too early. Here’s a helpful perspective: early doesn’t mean intense. It means age-appropriate.

Young children already hear words like “vape,” “weed,” or “edibles,” even if they don’t fully understand them. Starting early ensures you become their trusted source of information, not TikTok, YouTube, or friends.

Here’s what age-appropriate conversations might look like:

Ages 6–9
🗣️ Keep it simple, focus on safety
💬 “Some things can hurt our bodies. That’s why we only take medicine from a doctor or parent.”

Ages 10–12
🗣️ Introduce facts
💬 “You might hear about cannabis or va**ng. These products can be risky for growing brains. How much have you heard about them?”

Ages 13–15
🗣️ Encourage discussion
💬 “I saw a video about cannabis today. What do kids at your school think about it?”

Ages 16+
🗣️ Respect independence, reinforce healthy choices
💬 “I know you’ll make your own decisions soon. I want to make sure you have good info about cannabis and your health.”

02/20/2026

Some adults avoid talking about cannabis because they think bringing it up will make kids curious, or they hope schools will handle it. Others fall into “lecture mode” and hope that telling teens what not to do will be enough.

The problem is, most teens shut down when they feel judged or lectured. They want to be heard, not talked at.

Young people are more likely to make safe, healthy decisions when they feel connected to a caring adult who listens, understands, and supports them. Connection increases protection.

Instead of one serious and uncomfortable “drug talk,” what works best is a series of small, casual conversations over time that:
💬 Show you’re open to talking
💬 Reinforce real facts, not fear or myths
💬 Build trust and keep communication flowing
💬 Set clear expectations and boundaries
💬 Help youth practice decision-making skills

Cannabis affects areas of the brain related to learning, memory, coordination, and emotional processing. Because the ado...
02/19/2026

Cannabis affects areas of the brain related to learning, memory, coordination, and emotional processing. Because the adolescent brain is still wiring itself, exposure to cannabis before age 25 may interfere with development in ways that affect long-term health.

Some research has linked early and frequent cannabis use in youth to:
❗ Increased risk of anxiety and depression
❗ Difficulty with attention, memory, and academic performance
❗ Impaired decision-making
❗ Higher risk of addiction later in life

That’s why timing matters. Talking early allows adults to help young people build healthy decision-making skills before peer pressure, curiosity, or misinformation set in.

Many people assume that once a child becomes a teenager, their brain is nearly fully developed. But brain science tells ...
02/18/2026

Many people assume that once a child becomes a teenager, their brain is nearly fully developed. But brain science tells a different story. The human brain continues to develop into the mid-20s, especially the parts responsible for decision-making, reasoning, emotional control, and long-term planning.

During adolescence, two major brain systems are growing and changing:
Limbic system 🧠
Controls: Emotions, rewards, motivation
Timeline:Develops rapidly in early adolescence

Prefrontal cortex 🧠
Controls: Judgment, planning, impulse control
Timeline: Still developing until around age 25

This mismatch in development explains a lot of common teen behavior: big emotional reactions, risk-taking, and feeling invincible.

The brain is built to explore and learn during this time, but it’s also more vulnerable to substances like cannabis.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult in a young person’s life, you’ve probably wondered: When should I start ...
02/17/2026

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult in a young person’s life, you’ve probably wondered: When should I start talking to them about cannabis?

Maybe you’re not sure how to bring it up without sounding preachy. Maybe you don’t want to come across as overreacting or push them away. Or maybe you’re wondering if they’re even old enough to have that conversation yet.

Here’s the truth: talking early and talking often is one of the most protective things adults can do for young people.

These conversations are not just important, they’re backed by science.

02/16/2026

CMSAPC is a regional, grant-funded coalition made up of schools, parents, youth-serving organizations, faith-based services, local governments, and substance use prevention groups. We serve the Central MetroWest communities of Ashland, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Northborough, Southborough, and Westborough.

These towns work together under the shared belief that prevention is a community effort, with every member playing an important role in moving us closer to our shared goals. Our strength lies in collaboration, uniting dedicated individuals and organizations who share a passion for enhancing the well-being of their neighbors and families.

At CMSAPC, our mission is clear: to prevent underage drinking and substance use while promoting holistic health in the communities we serve. Through proactive education, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies, we aim to equip youth and families with the tools to make informed decisions and build stronger, safer neighborhoods.

CMSAPC is guided by a carefully crafted strategic plan, designed to address youth’s “substances of first use” such as alcohol, ni****ne, and ma*****na. Mental health is also a key focus, as we recognize the close ties between emotional well-being and substance use prevention.

Some of our key initiatives include:
- Parent/Caregiver Social Marketing Campaign: Educating families about cannabis prevention strategies, healthy communication, and building resilience in children.

- School-Led Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Campaign: Bringing parent/caregiver awareness to current school SEL work and expand current SEL curricula to include a home-to-school connection and engage parents/caregivers in SEL work.

Together, these efforts contribute to building a proactive, preventive culture in all seven of the communities we serve.

Our collective resources help communities thrive. With these resources, you’ll have the information and support needed to create positive change within your community.

02/16/2026

Start the conversation. Shape their future.

February vacation is a great reminder that prevention starts at home. A quick check in today can build trust that lasts all year.

Be the first voice they hear about cannabis.
Delay use. Protect their developing brain.

“Talk Early. Talk Often.”
Explore the parent toolkit at CMSAPC.org

Cannabis can affect the body and brain in more ways than people realize even in the short term. Changes in coordination,...
02/04/2026

Cannabis can affect the body and brain in more ways than people realize even in the short term. Changes in coordination, mood, perception, and reaction time can have real impacts, especially for teens and young adults whose brains are still developing.

This resource from Stanford REACH Lab is a great conversation starter and fits right into our “Talk Early. Talk Often.” approach. When parents and caregivers have accurate information, it’s easier to start honest, age appropriate conversations before misinformation fills the gap.

Calling all members of the Westborough, MA community! 👋Meet The Westborough Coalition: Westborough Connects is a proud ...
02/02/2026

Calling all members of the Westborough, MA community! 👋

Meet The Westborough Coalition: Westborough Connects is a proud partner of the Central MetroWest Substance Awareness & Prevention Collaborative (CMSAPC).

Westborough Connects strives to prevent youth substance misuse by fostering kindness, connection, resilience, and inclusion. Westborough Connects works with the Westborough Public Health Department to support education, programs and resources around substance use and mental health.

Swipe through the slides to learn more about their initiatives, impact, and more ➡️

Have questions or want to get involved? Westborough would love to hear from you! Contact:
Westborough Public Health Department
mgoncalves@westboroughma.gov
34 Main Street, Westborough Town Hall,
Westborough, MA 01581

Calling all members of the Southborough, MA community! 👋Meet The Southborough Coalition: The Southborough Encompass Coa...
02/01/2026

Calling all members of the Southborough, MA community! 👋

Meet The Southborough Coalition: The Southborough Encompass Coalition is a proud member of the Central MetroWest Substance Awareness & Prevention Collaborative (CMSAPC).

This initiative is committed to preventing and reducing youth substance misuse in Southborough by supporting the health and wellness of residents, fostering community connections, and addressing the environmental factors that contribute to substance use.

Swipe through the slides to learn more about their initiatives, impact, and more ➡️

Have questions or want to get involved? Southborough would love to hear from you!
Contact:
ebrideau@southboroughma.gov
508-481-5676, ext. 3
17 Common Street
Southborough, MA 01772

Address

78 Main Street
Hudson, MA
01749

Telephone

+19785622020

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Central MetroWest Substance Awareness & Prevention Collaborative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category