Central MetroWest Substance Awareness & Prevention Collaborative

07/01/2025

You don’t need to have all the answers.

You just need to be willing to talk.

Presence > perfection.

06/29/2025

Talking with your child about cannabis doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to happen.

Many parents wait for a “right time” or think their child isn’t ready.

But research shows: the earlier, the better.

✅ Here’s how to make those conversations easier:

Start small – Bring it up during a drive, walk, or TV show.

Stay calm – Keep your tone open and curious.

Be clear – Share your expectations around substance use.

Listen – Ask what they’ve heard at school or online.

Repeat – One talk isn’t enough. Check in often.

06/27/2025

How often do you talk with your child about peer pressure or healthy decision-making?

🗣️ It doesn’t need to be a big sit-down talk—small, honest conversations matter.

Try asking:

- “What would you do if someone offered you something you’re not sure about?”

- “How do your friends talk about cannabis or alcohol?”

Start where they are. Listen first.

06/25/2025

Talk early. Talk often.

Start the conversation before they’re exposed.

Your voice matters more than you think.

05/28/2025

With changing laws and growing cultural acceptance, it’s easy for young people to assume cannabis is harmless — or even healthy. But cannabis use can pose real risks, especially for teens.

Here’s what teens and parents should know:

🧠 Cannabis affects the developing brain.
Using cannabis heavily at a young age can:

Impair memory, learning, and attention

Increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and psychosis

Lower motivation and school performance

🚗 It can also put teens at risk for accidents and addiction.
Teens who use cannabis may:

Be more likely to get into car crashes

Struggle with chronic bronchitis or lung issues

Develop cannabis use disorder (addiction) over time

Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. Parents and caregivers can help by offering honest, age-appropriate information and setting clear boundaries. Reinforce that delaying use is the best choice for health, safety, and success.

05/23/2025

Summer brings warm weather, free time, and fun with friends — but it also comes with increased risk for teen substance misuse. Without the structure of school, teens may have more opportunities (and temptations) to experiment.

🌞 Here are a few ways families can help teens stay safe and substance-free during summer:

📅 Keep a routine.
Encourage a balance of relaxation and responsibility — like chores, summer jobs, or volunteering.

🧭 Set expectations.
Just because school’s out doesn’t mean rules are. Be clear about curfews, supervision, and substance use.

📲 Stay in touch.
Know where your teen is, who they’re with, and what their plans are.

🚗 Talk about safety.
Reinforce the dangers of impaired driving, riding with someone under the influence, or mixing substances.

🌟 Create opportunities.
Help teens find fun, safe activities like community events, sports leagues, art programs, or day trips.

Summer should be a time of fun and freedom — and with the right support, it can be safe and healthy too.

05/01/2025

Westborough Parents & Caregivers — help us support local youth!

Your role as a parent or caregiver is powerful — especially when it comes to guiding children through important choices. CMSAPC wants to hear from you through a brief, anonymous survey focused on youth substance use.

We want to know:
• How you're approaching conversations about drugs and alcohol
• What safety plans or strategies you use at home
• What you need more of — information, support, resources — to feel confident in this role

Your responses will help shape prevention programs and outreach that support families and protect youth.

🕐 This survey takes just a few minutes. Every question is optional. Your insight is invaluable.

👉 Find the Westborough Survey here:

The purpose of this survey is to collect information from parents/caregivers around their opinions of youth substance use in your community. We will use this data to determine priorities, raise awareness, and support local programs and policies to address youth substance use. We hope to aid parents....

05/01/2025

Parents and caregivers in Northborough and Southborough — your voice can help protect and guide youth in our communities.

CMSAPC is conducting a short, anonymous survey to gather parent and caregiver perspectives on youth substance use. We want to better understand:

• How and when families talk about substances
• What safety strategies are in place at home
• What challenges or concerns you see in your community

Your input will be used to guide prevention strategies, support families, and ensure youth have the tools and environment they need to make informed decisions.

📢 The survey is quick, optional, and completely confidential.

Take it here:
👉

This survey was developed by Encompass, our local Substance Use Prevention Coalition serving the communities of Northborough and Southborough. The purpose of this survey is to collect information from parents that compliments the student data collected in the biannual MetroWest Adolescent Health Sur...

05/01/2025

Marlborough Caregivers: let’s talk about Substance Misuse.

Talking to your child about substances isn’t always easy — but it’s one of the most powerful ways to support healthy choices. CMSAPC is conducting a short, anonymous survey for parents and caregivers to better understand local perspectives on youth substance use.

Your feedback will help:
• Identify what’s working — and what families still need
• Guide local programs and outreach
• Equip families with practical strategies for prevention

You'll be asked about:
• Your comfort level discussing substance use
• What messages and strategies you've shared with your child(ren)
• What community support or resources would be helpful to you

🕒 The survey takes just 6 minutes. Your participation is voluntary, anonymous, and appreciated.

Complete the survey here:
👉

The purpose of this survey is to collect information from parents/caregivers around their opinions of youth substance use in your community. We will use this data to determine priorities, raise awareness, and support local programs and policies to address youth substance use. We hope to aid parents....

05/01/2025

Parents and caregivers in Natick — your experience matters. The CMSAPC is conducting a brief, confidential survey to better understand attitudes and concerns around youth substance use — and how we can better support families like yours.

Whether you’ve already had conversations with your children about substances, or you’re unsure where to start, your feedback will help guide local efforts to:
• Provide education and tools for families
• Strengthen prevention programs
• Foster a community that protects young people

You’ll be asked about the age you think is appropriate to start talking about drugs and alcohol, strategies you’ve used, and what resources would help.

📝 It’s quick, anonymous, and all questions are optional. Every voice counts.

Take the survey now:
👉

The purpose of this survey is to collect information from parents/caregivers around their opinions of youth substance use in your community. We will use this data to determine priorities, raise awareness, and support local programs and policies to address youth substance use. We hope to aid parents....

05/01/2025

Parents & Caregivers in Ashland: your voice is needed!

Raising healthy, informed kids takes a village — and we want to hear from you. The Central MetroWest Substance Awareness Prevention Collaborative (CMSAPC) is conducting a short, anonymous survey to better understand how parents and caregivers feel about youth substance use in our area.

This survey will help:
• Raise awareness around youth substance use trends
• Support local families with prevention resources
• Inform programs and outreach that help protect and guide youth

We’re asking for just a few minutes of your time to complete the survey. Every answer is optional, and every voice matters — whether your children are in preschool, high school, or out of school.

Your insights will help support young people in making healthy, informed decisions. The survey includes questions about:

• When and how you talk to your children about drugs and alcohol
• Strategies you use to keep them safe
• What concerns or hopes you have for your child’s future

💬 Complete the anonymous survey here:

The purpose of this survey is to collect information from parents/caregivers around their opinions of youth substance use in your community. We will use this data to determine priorities, raise awareness, and support local programs and policies to address youth substance use. We hope to aid parents....

05/01/2025

Do you live in Hudson and care for a child or teen?

We’d love to hear from you in our community-wide Parent & Caregiver Survey.

Substance use among youth can affect every family — but we know that parents and caregivers are one of the strongest influences in a young person’s decision-making. That’s why your input is so important.

This short survey asks:
• How and when you talk to your child(ren) about drugs or alcohol
• What strategies you use to help them stay safe
• What concerns or trends you’ve noticed in Hudson

Your responses will remain anonymous and will help shape programs, policies, and education efforts to support youth and families right here in Hudson.

📊 It takes about 6 minutes and can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.

Take the survey now:
👉

The purpose of this survey is to collect information from parents/caregivers around their opinions of youth substance use in your community. We will use this data to determine priorities, raise awareness, and support local programs and policies to address youth substance use. We hope to aid parents....