Prevention Services, Arlington MA

08/07/2025

August 2025 eNews from the Arlington Prevention Coalition -

ARLINGTON, MA — Congratulations to Arlington High School senior Lei Chang, who has been selected as a Massachusetts Youth Advocate in Prevention (Mass YAP) Intern — a highly competitive statewide internship program focused on youth leadership in substance use prevention.

07/29/2025

AHS Student Selected for Prestigious Statewide Prevention Internship

ARLINGTON, MA — Congratulations to Arlington High School senior Lei Chang, who has been selected as a Massachusetts Youth Advocate in Prevention (Mass YAP) Intern — a highly competitive statewide internship program focused on youth leadership in substance use prevention.

The Mass YAP internship, launched for the first time this year, is a collaboration between the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Bay State Community Services. The program accepted only one student per town and just four from each region, making Lei’s selection a significant honor.

Running from summer 2025 through November, the internship trains youth leaders in primary substance use prevention, empowering them to plan and lead prevention events during Substance Use Prevention Month in October, provide feedback to BSAS on youth-focused strategies, and engage their peers in prevention efforts both locally and statewide. Interns will also play a vital role in shaping the future of the program based on their experiences and insights.

Lei has been actively involved in Arlington Students About Prevention (ASAP) at Arlington High School since September 2024, working under the guidance of Karen Koretsky, Director of Prevention Services, and Kim Visco, Director of Health and Wellness for the Town of Arlington.

“We are incredibly proud to have Lei represent Arlington in this new and important initiative,” said Koretsky. “His commitment to youth prevention work and his leadership within the ASAP Club make him an outstanding choice for this role.”

For more information about the Mass YAP program, visit baystatecs.org or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. To learn more about prevention services for Arlington’s youth, visit ArlingtonMA.gov/HHS.

07/24/2025

Celebrating the one- year anniversary of Wellbriety with another client!!!

Concerned about your drug or alcohol use? We offer free support.

07/22/2025

As of today, there are no more specialized su***de prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline. Three years after the shortened dial number was launched, the Trump administration has cut these services “to focus on serving all help seekers,” according to a press release. A recent First Opinion essay called the end of this service “a crushing moment” and “a public health failure.”

It’s been repeatedly established by research that q***r youth have higher risk of su***de than their straight peers. A nationally-representative poll of more than 2,000 respondents, completed this summer by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, found that 60% have at least some support for funding LGBTQ+ specialized services for 988, and 79% felt that young people need more mental health resources dedicated to their specific needs.

The removal of the specialized line is the latest in a barrage of moves by the Trump administration targeting LGBTQ people. And while most of the policies focus on young people, funding proposals continue to be made that could affect adult access to care as well. Another survey, published yesterday in JAMA Network Open, found that out of almost 500 respondents, every single person believed their access to gender-affirming care would be restricted in the next four years.

07/16/2025

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-i-talk-to-my-kid-about-drugs-start-here-with/id1519001586?i=1000716306772

Podcast Episode · Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis · 07/08/2025 · 44m

07/15/2025

Was legal pot a good idea?
Researchers detail what we know about impact on revenue and health — and what we still need to find out

Researchers detail what we know about consequences for revenue and health — and what we still need to find out.

07/10/2025

The Importance of Swimwear Color for Child Safety
Did you know that the color of your child's swimsuit plays a crucial role in their visibility underwater? Neon colors, especially neon orange, are the most noticeable in aquatic settings, whether it's a pool, pond, or lake. Choose bright and contrasting shades that sharply stand out against the bottom of the pool or the bed of a lake, river, or ocean.
While a neon swimsuit enhances visibility, nothing is more important than adult supervision for ensuring children's safety in the water. Always designate an adult to monitor the swimmers, rotating this responsibility throughout the day, and encourage children to take regular swim breaks to rest and recharge.
(Acknowledgment to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System for the photo.)

07/02/2025

July 2025 eNews from the Arlington Prevention Coalition - *|https://mailchi.mp/[######]/june2025-enews-from-the-arlington-prevention-coalition-13875334|*

07/02/2025

Teen Peer Influence: A Parent’s Guide to Healthy Friendships and Substance-Use Prevention

Teen peer influence shapes everything from fashion to substance use. Learn the warning signs and online‐safety tips parents can use to guide healthy friendships.

06/23/2025

As concern grows over impact of cannabis in Mass., new attention to old health warnings

Is cannabis dangerous for kids? That was the question we posed to Ryan Dominguez, executive director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, the group representing the industry behind $8 billion in sales in the state since legalization.

06/23/2025

That lie we’ve been told our whole lives” This young woman’s heavy use of high-potency THC led her to develop a syndrome marked by severe...