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Substance Abuse Prevention
Ray Peachey is the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator. The coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention related programs and enforcing Westford's tobacco regulations. He works closely with Westford Police, School Departments, the Westford Parent Connection (WPC), Westford Against Substance Abuse (WASA) and other local and state organizations to bring substance abuse prevention programs to the community. Upcoming educational programs on substance abuse prevention can be found here.
Celebrate With Care
As we enter a busy holiday season, Westford Against Substance Abuse (WASA) encourages the residents of Westford to make the most of holiday celebrations. Celebrate With Care. The holiday season is a paradoxical period of overwhelming responsibilities, bustling activity, increased stress and magical moments of joy, anticipation and wonder.
In our society, consumption of alcohol and celebrations traditionally go hand in hand. Anyone can experience problems when drinking alcohol. We all make choices about how much and how often we consume. Alcohol is a depressant. Use may affect cognitive ability, coordination and physical health. During a season when energy levels need to be high, stress levels tend to rise and social opportunities abound, we need to keep in mind the importance of celebrating with care.
Alcohol
- Alcohol Effects Calculator: 1st Use of Alcohol Typically Begins Around Age 13
By Their Senior Year, 64% of High School Students Say They Have Been Drunk at Least Once
33% Say They Have Been Drunk in the Past Month - SAMHSA, To Smart to Start: Help Prevent Underage Alcohol Use. Learn Why, Learn How and Take Action Now
Tobacco
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: The CDC Gives Different Ideas on Youth Prevention Programs and Facts
- MAHB Guidance Flavored Product List (PDF)
- Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program: The Official Website of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)
- Vaping: The new look of Nicotine Addiction
Drugs
- How Much do You Know About Marijuana? This is a Quiz You Can Take About Marijuana
- Marijuana's Lasting Effect on the Brain
- Mass Department of Public Health State study of Marijuana use
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)
- Teens Who Smoke Marijuana See Their IQs Drop as Adults: This is an Article From a Study of 1,025 Participants in New Zealand (Their IO Was Tested at the Age of 13 and Again at 38 Years Old)
Other Resources
- Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Resources 2016 (PDF)
- DrugRehab.org: The 45 Warning Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse
- Get Smart About Drugs: A Resource for Parents and Educators
What You Should Know About Marijuana Concentrates / Honey Butane Oil - Learn 2 Cope
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Periodic Table of Drug Addition
- SafeLink Massachusetts: SafeLink is the Massachusetts statewide 24/7 toll-free domestic violence hotline operated by Casa Myrna
- Talking to Teens about Parties (PDF)
- Westford Against Substance Abuse (WASA): A Non-Profit Organization Formed in 1986 in Response to Concerns About Substance Abuse Problems, Both Locally and Globally
- Westford Parent Connection (WPC): The WPC Was Formed in 2001 to Provide Westford Parents and Guardians Enrichment and Educational Events to Help Address a Variety of Social and Emotional Issues Pertaining to Their Children's Development
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Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse Prevention CoordinatorPhone: 978-692-5509