Needham Public Health awarded three year, $300K grant to address underage drinking and other drug use
Needham, MA—The Needham Public Health Department, applying as the lead applicant for a municipal collaborative that includes the towns of Dedham, Norwood, and Westwood, was recently awarded a Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative (SAPC) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS). The grant will provide Needham with at least $300,000 over the course of three years to hire a prevention specialist to guide the establishment of substance abuse prevention coalitions in each town to prevent underage drinking and other drug use within the four communities. The SAPC grant includes renewal options that might amount to a seven year, $700,000 commitment in total.
“This is a substantial commitment of new funding to support Needham’s substance abuse prevention and education efforts,” noted Dr. Stephen Epstein, the Chair of Needham’s Board of Health. “And it is recognition of Needham’s history as a statewide leader in substance abuse prevention and education efforts.”
“What makes this program truly unique is the regional nature of the award,” added Timothy Muir McDonald, Director of the Needham Public Health Department. “It is targeted to improve evidence–based prevention efforts and activities both within communities and as part of regional clusters.”
Prior to applying for grant funding, all four communities signed an agreement and committed to share resources, knowledge, and best practices to build and strengthen community coalitions and to enhance implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies and interventions. Each community was also responsible for gathering commitments and support from community leaders, faith-based organizations, hospitals, and higher education institutions within the town.
“In our application, we were fortunate to have the strong support of committed partners at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham, the Community Council, the Needham Channel, Olin College, and a whole host of Town departments including the strong commitment of Superintendent Dan Gutekanst and his staff at Needham Public Schools,” said McDonald. “All four communities gathered the support of committed community partners, and that broad based support impressed the reviewers and was one of the real strengths of the grant application.”
The Town of Needham has been a state leader in community substance abuse prevention through its Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (NCYSAP). The NCYSAP, funded through a five year Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant through the Office of National Control Policy (ONDCP) in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has worked collaboratively with Needham community leaders and key stakeholders to reduce access to alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs. The Coalition has collaborated on policy changes such as the placement of a 24x7 medication disposal kiosk at the Needham Police Station and the implementation of responsible alcohol sales and service trainings, as well as community awareness campaigns and parent education to shift the community norm away from the inevitability of underage substance use or underage substance use as a “rite of passage” for youth.
About the Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (NCYSAP)
The Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention was founded in 2009 to support substance abuse prevention and education efforts. Its membership includes youths, parents, community leaders, business and fraternal organizations, and town staff members, all of whom work towards the vision of Needham as a cohesive community that supports all of its youth to grow and develop to be substance free and healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
Contact
For more information about the Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative grant or the Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention, please contact:
Carol Read, M.Ed, CAGS, CPS
Substance Abuse Prevention & Education Coordinator
Needham Public Health Department
1471 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
781-455-7500 x 259
cread@needhamma.gov
www.needhamma.gov/health/substanceabuse