Coalition reports decrease in youth substance use during COVID-19

Oct. 20, 2021 | Carolyn Noel

SOUTH HADLEY – The South Hadley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition was started in 2005 as a result of a drug overdose in the community. Together, a group of adults and students unite to do substance use prevention work for ages 12 through 18.

Both Coordinator Susan Cook and Director Steve Fleming noted that, based on surveys, they saw a slight decrease in youth drug use during the pandemic. They attribute this to parents being home more frequently and a decrease of social gatherings.

“We’re not sure if those numbers are going to stay down or if those numbers are going to rise once they’re back in their social settings and have the freedom to be with their friends again. Kids tend to use drugs in social settings. They don’t typically consume drugs by themselves, so the lack of the social settings has made an impact,” said Cook.

According to Cook, they are interested in conducting a survey again in the spring to see if numbers change. For now, the group is continuing their efforts to bring awareness to youth drug and alcohol use and prevention.

On Oct. 13, the Coalition had its first in-person meeting at Michael E. Smith Middle School since COVID-19 began. The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. With the pandemic, meetings shifted to Zoom.

Cook said that COVID-19 has also changed the way they access students and host events.

“Access to the students has been a little more difficult. We haven’t been able to do any kind of large programming with community or students because of COVID-19 restrictions, but we’re trying to do things a little bit differently,” she said.

Over the past year, the Coalition was able to work with the Connecticut River Task Force and spread awareness around alcohol on the river during the summer. They also mailed out magnets to middle school and high school families with prevention resources listed. High school families were also sent a survey where caregivers could fill out their concerns and ways the Coalition could help. They were also able to complete compliance checks at local package stores.

“Prevention isn’t just going into the schools and talking to the kids. The work of the coalition is also monitoring access to alcohol and raising awareness around prescription drug abuse,” said Cook.

On Oct. 23, the Coalition will be hosting a Drug Take Back Day with the Police Department. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the station and anyone is able to drive up and drop off unwanted or expired medications. These drugs will then be picked up and disposed of by the federal government.

According to Fleming, disposing of prescription drugs is important to prevent youth from accessing them.

“The reason for it is to prevent any youth from getting control of these items, which is something that does happen quite often,” he said.

Based on surveys, one in four teens has used prescription medicine at least once to get high and most say that they got it from their family members or friends, said Fleming.

“That says that the prescription drugs are being grabbed from medicine cabinets,” he added.

The Police Department also has 24/7 kiosks where anyone can bring drugs they want to dispose of if they are unable to make the Drug Take Back Day.

Cook said that the South Hadley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition is open to new members and welcomes everyone. “We welcome anybody who has an interest in supporting the work,” she said.

Those seeking more information on joining or access to prevention resources are encouraged to visit their website at https://www.southhadleyprevents.org/.

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