What are those purple flags on the Cape for?

In case you missed the article in the Globe West Sunday edition: 

Dan Gilmartin placed purple flags in the Mashpee rotary. His son Cory, 32, died of a heroin overdose in January 2014. (DEBEE TLUMACKI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE)

Gail Mahoney, 77, measures the toll of the heroin crisis here and across the country by counting the number of grandchildren she and her friends have lost to the deadly drug. 

One friend lost two grandchildren. Another friend buried one grandchild and has a grandson who is “fighting for his life.” Mahoney said her son’s stepdaughter died of a heroin overdose four years ago. 

“I’m just a little nobody, and I know seven people that have kids that have lost their lives,” Mahoney said Friday. “It’s everywhere. It’s not just on Cape Cod. It’s throughout our whole country. My question is: Why do we have so much heroin in this country?” 

Mahoney, a Mashpee resident, visited the Mashpee rotary Friday night to speak with volunteers who placed 330 purple flags to represent people who died from overdoses of heroin and other opioids on Cape Cod and the Islands between 2000 and 2014.

Continue reading the article here: (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/06/20/those-died-oid-overdoses-remembered-cape-with-purple-flags/UQgtjhD88zP3ySHDsQZ5fI/story.html


What can be done about the opioid epidemic in Franklin? Come out to the Community Coalition - June 30th - 7:00 PM.  Franklin can come out from behind closed doors to the High School Auditorium on 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 30. The meeting will introduce the formation of a Community Coalition to help with our own problem.

What if… we can each help turn the tide of Addiction one share at a time?

From Patricia Byrne writing at Stop The Silence

The response to Stop the Silence has been staggering. The speed at which it was shared speaks to the size of the Epidemic of Addiction slithering through our neighborhoods and stealing our loved ones. 

Many have asked how they can help, others have asked how to get help. Much needs to change for the tide of Addiction to turn. Gloucester MA is at the front of the charge. They have created an Angel Program to help addicts instead of jailing them. 

We must admit this Epidemic is hiding in our communities. We need to recognize that families from all walks of life are re-enacting the same play behind different doors in cities, suburbs and small towns alike. We plead, sob, and scream to our addicts and to each other from a battle-worn script as we live our shared nightmare. Addiction is stealing the future of so many and decimating the lives of everyone who loves them. We need to step out from behind the doors and come together to help one another.

Continue reading Patricia here
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/what-if/

You can read more about Gloucester's Angel Program here -->
http://jgpr.net/2015/05/05/gloucester-police-chief-announces-major-drug-policy-changes/

As resources become available, Patricia will be posting them to this "Resources" page --> 
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/local-resources-by-state/

The Addict's Mom

Community Coalition - June 30th - 7:00 PM

Franklin can come out from behind closed doors to the High School Auditorium on 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 30. The meeting will introduce the formation of a Community Coalition to help with our own problem.

Representative Roy Announces Community Coalition to Combat Opioid Abuse

In light of the recent opioid epidemic that has been plaguing Massachusetts Representative Roy of Franklin will be hosting a Community Coalition on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the Franklin High School Auditorium. This meeting will be open to the public with the goal of establishing a direction for the coalition to take, to hear from experts, and to hear from coalition members in other towns on their progress. 

Representative Roy has been working with a group since February to develop a Community Coalition to combat this epidemic. "While I was pleased to be a part of the discussion, it was unsettling to see the damage that is wreaking havoc on people and their families," said Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) "We need to do more to help those who struggle daily with the disease of addiction and I think a coalition is the first step." 

Community entrance at Franklin High School

The Massachusetts Legislature has taken a number of legislative and budgetary steps to get in front of the problem and it has been supportive of efforts to establish community coalitions to confront opioid abuse. Franklin is not alone in discussing and facing the opioid problem—Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey and his colleagues have been spearheading coalitions to fight the epidemic and they have recently included Franklin. 

On June 3, in preparation for the first coalition meeting, Rep. Roy and his team met with D.A. Michael Morrissey and his coalition leaders in Canton for a briefing and discussion on the ways they can combat the opioid epidemic in our community. "Franklin is doing the right things in dealing with the effects of drugs in our region, and particularly the Commonwealth's deadly opiate epidemic," District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said, "we see prevention coalitions successfully changing attitudes about substance use in other towns. Enforcement and supply interdiction remain important. But groups like this one are key to addressing the demand for drugs in our communities. I applaud the elected officials, police, educators and other community members who are making this happen. I'm glad to support it and offer the help and assistance of my office." 

Franklin Town Councilor Robert Dellorco added his vote of confidence to the coalition by saying, "When I found out about the overwhelming response to the coalition meeting, it reinforced the pride that I have in the Franklin community, and the confidence that together we can make a difference." 

Finally, Rep. Roy and the coalition urge the people of Franklin to watch Dr. Anne Bergen's show, "It Takes a Village," on the Franklin community channel Saturday June 20th at 8:30pm. Rep. Roy and other coalition members appeared on the show to discuss the epidemic and it serves as good background on the issue going into the first coalition meeting. 

For more information on the Franklin Community Coalition please do not hesitate to reach out to Representative Roy or his office at 617-722-2020.

Franklin TV Broadcast: It Takes A Village: Drug Panel

The panel discussion lead by Dr Anne Bergen and Franklin's town leaders on the crisis around opiate use and misuse will be aired on Verizon (channel 26) and Comcast (channel 8) on the following days this week:

• Tuesday, June 16th - 9:00 am
• Wednesday, June 17th at 7:00 am



Franklin TV

• Saturday, June 20 at 8:30 pm

The interview with Norfolk Country District Attorney on the same issue will be aired on Thursday evening, June 18 at 6:30 pm.



For the full listing of shows on the broadcast schedule for this week, check here
http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

"Stop the Silence. Speak the Truth. Start the Conversation".

Patricia Byrne writes:

Patricia's son Kurt

"It’s time to Stop the Silence. It’s time to Speak the Truth. My son is a heroin addict. I want to wear a t-shirt, a hat, a pin, something. I want a suffering family member or addict to see me in the grocery store and be able to walk up and say ‘me too’. I want families to not feel isolated and alone in this hell that is Addiction. It is everywhere, and we are hiding it because we feel guilty and ashamed. I have seen in people’s eyes in the past that they knew my son was an addict. But they also didn’t know if I knew, and I wasn’t shouting it from the rooftops. So the elephant was with me everywhere I went. We lived in a small town. I was sure everyone knew. I was sure my son’s name was whispered when I wasn’t there. Yet I stayed silent.  

My son is in recovery. He has been clean and sober for 16 months. It’s a miracle he’s alive. That miracle cost us a small fortune. True recovery is not cheap and it is not easy. It is not five days of detox, have a nice day. It is not a thirty day stint in rehab, have a nice life. It is a slow, slogging, exhausting crawl out of the muddy nasty pit Addiction digs under you."

Continue reading her article here
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/hello-world/


Help is coming to Franklin. There is a meeting at the Franklin High School auditorium on Tuesday, June 30 - 7:00 PM to form a "Community Coalition" to address the heroin and opiate drug problem the community faces. It can be solved, not by putting additional police on the streets but by providing the support to the individuals and families that need it.

Additional information on the Community Coalition can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/community-coalition-on-opiate-addiction.html

Community Coalition on Opiate Addiction to meet June 30

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Jeffrey Roy

Community Coalition preliminary meeting

A few weeks ago, the Franklin Town Council hosted a thoughtful discussion on the opioid epidemic. While I was pleased to be a part of that discussion, it was unsettling to see the damage that is wreaking havoc on people and their families; those who struggle daily with the disease of addiction.

No community is immune from this crisis, but there are multi-faceted ways to address it. The Legislature has taken a number of steps through laws and budget appropriations to get in front of the problem. And it has been supportive of efforts to establish community coalitions to confront opioid abuse. Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey has taken the lead in establishing coalitions throughout Norfolk County and he is happy to add Franklin to the list.

Plans for a Franklin Coalition are well under way and we will meet for the first time on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the Franklin High School Auditorium. At the first meeting, we will have an opportunity to discuss the mission and objectives of the coalition, hear from Community Coalition members from other towns, and hear from some experts in the field about how to address the opioid epidemic which is plaguing Massachusetts communities. We will also have a chance to talk about what we would like to see in Franklin.

On June 3, in preparation for our first coalition meeting, we met with Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and his Coalition Leaders in Canton (see photo above). Jenn Rowe and Ryan Walker from his office have been spearheading this effort for Norfolk County. Franklin Town Councilor Robert Dellorco, Franklin Detective John Ryan, student Ben Waters, counselor Jennifer Knight, and legislative aide Chris Yancich joined us for this briefing and discussion on the ways that we can combat the opioid epidemic in our community. The information will prove helpful in the formation of our community coalition.

In preparation for our first coalition meeting, please watch the Franklin Town Council meeting from May 20, 2015. You can view it by clicking here. You can also view the Milford Daily News report on the meeting by clicking here. In addition, you are urged to read the the Massachusetts Health Council's report entitled Local Approaches to the Opioid Overdose Epidemic:How Massachusetts Communities Are Responding Today. You can view that report by clicking here.

Finally, you are urged to view Dr. Anne Bergen's TV show "It Takes a Village" on Franklin.TV where the topic is discussed. I was honored to join the Police Chief, Town Administrator, and Superintendent of Schools on that show to discuss the opiate problem. It was a fascinating discussion as we explored the things that are happening at the state and local level to improve and save lives tarnished by addiction. To see when the show will be aired, click here for Franklin.TV's directory. You can also find the Milford Daily News report on the show by clicking here.

If you know anyone who is interested in being a part of the coalition, tell them they can sign up to be on the email distribution list by clicking here. And you should feel free to forward this email to your friends and colleagues and urge them to sign up for this effort.

It will take a team effort to take on this epidemic, but together we can save lives and heal fractured families. I look forward to working with you.

Franklin Police share resources on preventing overdoses

During the Town Council meeting last week, Chief Stephan Semerjian mentioned that the Police Department was posting resources on their webpage to help share the information. 

Here is the info shared:





14 Rules Never to Break with Dealing with Addiction
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Police/Narconon14Rules.pdf

signs of heroin abuse - shared from the Franklin Police page

Opioid

The term opioid designates a class of drugs derived naturally from the opium poppy (opium, morphine, codeine), synthesized or derived from a natural opiate (heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone), or manufactured synthetically with a chemical structure similar to opium (fentanyl, methadone). Among their many effects, opioids depress breathing by changing neurochemical activity in the brainstem where automatic bodily functions are controlled. 

Overdose

An overdose occurs when opioid concentrations are so high in the body that they begin to cause respiratory depression. Overdoses can be further characterized as being either non-fatal (loss of consciousness and depressed breathing) or fatal (respiration ceases and/or cardiac arrest ensues) (Warner-Smith, et al, 2001). 

Overdose is a common experience among opioid users. In a review of the literature on overdoses, Darke and Hall (2003) found that at least half of opioid users in cross-sectional studies report a history of non-fatal overdose, many of whom report overdosing multiple times. Additionally, Darke and Zador (1996) report that opioid users have mortality rates that are between six and twenty times those of their peers. These authors go on to report that deaths attributable to overdose are the most common cause of death among opioid users. 

In a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in December 2011, drug overdose was identified as the cause of death for over 41,000 people in 2008 (Warner, et al, 2011). With the rate nearly tripling in the past three decades, drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death nationally, exceeding motor vehicle accidents; in 2008, there were 38,000 motor vehicle deaths. 

While the CDC report identifies overdose as a national issue, the northeast region is disproportionately affected. In its 2011 New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NE HIDTA) Drug Market Analysis, the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) noted, “opioid abuse remains the most significant drug threat to the NE HIDTA – (NDIC, 2011). The authors identify pharmaceutical opioid abuse as the driving factor behind this increase. Evidence suggests that pharmaceutical opioid abusers often switch from prescription medications to heroin due to its lower cost and greater purity.

Continue reading more from the Mass Dept of Health brochure (PDF) here
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/substance-abuse/opioid/overdoseresponsestrategies.pdf

New videos touting Franklin previewed, more on the way to address opiate drug problem

Franklin will get to showcase itself with five new advertising videos. The five spots were viewed by the Town Council last night. The video spots run about 1:30 to 2:00 minutes each and tout the benefits of Franklin. The spots are meant to be used to advertise Franklin at conferences and such occasions. 

The Horace Mann statue committee was created and the following members named to it: Debbie Pellegri, Charles Oteri, Jeff Roy, Mary Olsson, Lisa Piana, and Robert Dellorco. Tom Mercer was added to the previously published listing of committee members.

Three citizens spoke up about the proposed gas pipeline that is slated to be brought through Franklin. There is a Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 28th at the Council Chambers.


Considerable time and discussion was spent on the opiate drug problem that Franklin is affected by along with many other communities in the Commonwealth. Police Chief Stephan Semerjian, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Representative Jeff Roy spoke of their efforts collaborating to address the growing issue. Among the new efforts to address this will be the formation of a coalition to bring together the many organizations that are affected by the problem. The students at Panther TV will be working with the Police Chief to develop some public service video announcements.

Police Chief Semerjian and his team address the Town Council

The Council approved of the purchase of 20 acres of land along Lincoln St to add to existing property already owned by Franklin and marked for open space. The purchase of this land by the open space funds would prevent the land from being re-purposed for a fire substation which caused Councilor Kelly to cast the only no vote. The measure passed 8-1.

My notes reported live during the meeting can be found here:

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Legislation
• Live reporting: Police Chief on the drug problem
• Live reporting: Franklin TV
• Live reporting: Town Council - May 20, 2015

time to “get up to speed”

With the current town clerk not seeking re-election this November, town officials will likely reduce the salary for the position by about $10,000. 

Longtime town clerk Deborah Pellegri announced early last month that she would not be taking nomination papers for the biennial town election. 

Last year, Pellegri received about a $10,000 raise, bringing her salary to more than $80,000. Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said at the time that Pellegri’s pay was roughly 13 percent less than the state average.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150521/NEWS/150529210/1994/NEWS

For other items of note in the FY 2016 budget you can refer to the reporting on the budget hearings here

• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #4
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #3
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #2
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #1

Since taking office in 2010, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey each year has noted a rise in deaths resulting from overdoses of heroin and other opioids. 

Two years ago there were 63 deaths, he said; in 2014, there were 94. And before he left his Canton office Wednesday, the count for this year stood, already, at 58, including one during the day. 

“It’s the single largest problem I have as a district attorney,” Morrissey said, referring to the state’s opioid epidemic. “It’s the largest killer of young people.”

Conitnue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150521/NEWS/150529106/1994/NEWS

In the News: drug arrests, drug problem, Cultural Festival fund raiser

Five people were arrested last week as part of a month-long investigation into a local heroin distribution organization, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office said Friday. 

Nathan Freeman, 36, of Franklin, pleaded not guilty at his Wrentham District Court arraignment Monday to possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance; possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance (marijuana) and possession to distribute a Class A substance (Suboxone). 

Freeman was indicted in Norfolk Superior Court on April 29 on different heroin and marijuana distribution charges, officials said, and a judge revoked his bail on that case and ordered him held without bail for 90 days. He will be arraigned June 3 in Superior Court.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150516/NEWS/150517024/1994/NEWS

A group of Town Council members met privately with the police chief on Thursday to discuss what actions the department is taking in response to the state's opioid epidemic. 

The meeting followed the arrests last week of three men and two women who were allegedly part of a local heroin distribution organization. 

As a result of the meeting, the department added information on its website about opioid overdoses, including a YouTube video on risk factors and a state report on response strategies. 

Also, Franklin Police Chief Stephan Semerjian was asked to brief the council next Wednesday on further measures the department will pursue.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150516/NEWS/150517023/1994/NEWS

A group of local businesses and artists holds a kick-off event tonight to raise money for a weeklong summer arts festival in the downtown. 

The fundraiser starts at 8 p.m. at the Franklin Performing Arts company's 200-seat theater, The Black Box, at 15 West Central St. Tickets are $18. 

Festival organizers will provide more details about the event, slated from July 29 to Aug. 2, and a jazz trio is set to perform.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150516/NEWS/150517025/1994/NEWS

Franklin Cultural Festival - arts happen here!

For more info on Franklin's first Cultural Festival check here
http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/2015/05/franklin-cultural-festival-kick-off.html

BIG Y: Learn About Prescription Drug Safety and Drug Interactions

© Copyright 2015 Big Y Foods Inc., Springfield, MA This email was sent by: Big Y Foods Inc., 2145 Roosevelt Avenue, PO Box 7840, Springfield, MA, 01102

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day - Apr 26

Franklin will participate in the eighth Prescription Drug Take-Back Day held Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It's a great time to clean out your medicine cabinet! Protect our kids, families and environment by properly disposing of your unwanted and expired medicines. Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning and flushed or trashed medicines can end up polluting our waters. Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high - over half of teens abusing medicines get them from a family member or friend, including the home medicine cabinet, and often without their knowledge.

Take Back Your Meds

The Franklin Police Station is one of the many sites participating in this effort.

Franklin Police Station (Mar 2014 in snow)

For additional information on the "Take Back Your Meds" program, you can visit the webpage here
http://www.takebackyourmeds.org/

Safe prescription drug disposal

If you have prescription drugs that you are no longer taking, why leave them in your cabinet?

What should you do to dispose of them properly?

Drop them in the trash? NoFlush them down the toilet or drain? No

Bring them to the safe disposal drop box at the Franklin Police Station.

911 Panther Way, Franklin, MA

The kiosk is located just inside the front door.

1. Open the handle 
2. deposit your prescription containers 
3. close the handle

As easy as 1, 2, 3!

------------

Coincidentally, the newspaper has this article today:

Drug drop-off day is April 27

Local police departments will once again join forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration to get rid of residents' unused prescription medicine when the sixth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held Saturday, April 27.

Note the DEA site does not list Franklin but the kiosk is at the Police Headquarters!

Discarded Drugs Destroyed

Hundreds of pounds of discarded drugs destroyed.

Click here for press release.

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"The drug containers work like a mailbox"

Medway and 12 other Norfolk County towns are using the drug containers after Morrissey wrote the county police chiefs in May and asked them to participate in the program. 

Franklin and Wrentham also have the boxes, and about 300,000 people will have access to the containers across the county, Morrissey said. 

Franklin Police Chief Stephen Williams said a container has been at the station for about a month. 

"I think prescription drug abuse is endemic almost everywhere," Williams said. "We're seeing many of our young people become involved in it, and where are they getting the drugs from? From their mom and dad's prescriptions and friends."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633530691/Medway-Franklin-offer-drug-collection-boxes-for-old-pills#ixzz1TgKnHQko

In the News: there was a market for this

Franklin detectives saw the men exchange something with someone in a second car, police said, and then followed the second car and stopped a man who, by that time, had a baggie of what was later identified as cocaine in his mouth. 

The detectives then returned to the parking lot and saw a second exchange within an hour and a half involving the same green car, the police report said. 

Detectives interrupted that deal, which this time was heroin, and arrested Dejesus-Escbales and Delossantos, according to court documents. 

The two people who bought the drugs were not arrested and instead were summoned to court on possession charges, police said. 

Police found 13 small bags of heroin, one large bag of heroin, and a bag of cocaine in the Honda, along with $2,158 in cash. Officers also found five cellphones, which rang repeatedly during the arrests, according to court reports.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633527250/Two-charged-with-dealing-heroin-in-Franklin#ixzz1SGg9TAYX

DEA: prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative

The Drug Enforcement Administration and government, community, public health and law enforcement partners today announced a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites nationwide o n Saturday, September 25 th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

For locations near you, check on the DEA website here. You can search by zip code and within a radius of that zip code. Currently there are not locations close to Franklin. However, the website claims additional locations will be added and to check back often.

The top page on the DEA website is here: http://www.justice.gov/dea/index.shtml


Franklin, MA

"students who reported recently smoking marijuana rose"

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Jun 13, 2009 @ 10:46 PM

---

Amid the backdrop of the deaths this week of two teens linked to drinking, a report released today by a regional health foundation shows a drop in alcohol use among area high school students.

The biennial report, the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, uses responses from questionaires sent to middle and high schools in MetroWest and Greater Milford by the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation. Introduced in 2006, the report now includes data from 2008, allowing the first look at possible trends.

Between the two surveys, the proportion of high school students who reported drinking within a month of the questionnaire dropped from 42 percent to 39 percent.

Those using alcohol at some point in their lives, meanwhile, fell from 67 percent to 63 percent. And those recently consuming five or more drinks in a row binge drinking fell from 25 percent to 23 percent.

Click through to the Milford Daily News web site to down load the full report.

While the numbers are down for alcohol, they are up for marijuana. Given the recent tragedies involving local youth and drinking, clearly much work remains.

For my two cents; how much have parents/guardians changed their own behavior? They are the ones who are setting the example for the children to grow up with.

One quote I like makes this point:

"Our example to our children, to our families, and to the world around us is constant. The question is not whether or not anyone is watching, the question is what are they learning as they watch." Kirk Weisler

You can sign up for Kirk Weisler's Thought for the Day (T4D) here.

"turn them on to doing something positive"

By Jeff Ghiringhelli/Daily News correspondent

GHS

Posted Jun 06, 2008 @ 12:21 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

Based on the results of the most recent youth risk survey for students in grades 7-12, the town has decided to reestablish the Community Health Council.

In its first meeting last night, a committee of school administrators, police officers and students discussed strategies for the upcoming year.

The survey asks students about drug and alcohol use, among other risky behaviors, and was last administered in fall 2006, with alcohol use being the most noticeable problem found.

In the past, the council had the mission to protect and provide programs for youth in Franklin.

"The major focus was on youth," said Mardi Donovan, health director for the schools. "But the council also focused on the community as a whole."

While the previous council acted as more of an advisory committee, the new version hopes to bring more action to the table.

Read the full story in the Milford Daily News here.

The MetroWest Survey was presented to the School Committee

Holliston tackles teenage substance abuse

Ellen Freedman, coordinator of Holliston's Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Initiative, says she is encouraged by parents' response to last month's presentation of a survey that showed they underestimate marijuana use and binge drinking among local teenagers.

Rather than responding with denial, she said, parents have said they want to work together to curb the behavior.

Freedman said they applied the survey results to their own situation. "I don't think there was quite as much denial as 'This information is going to help me talk to my kids.' "

The Boston Globe reports that Holliston is tackling the recent survey results on teenage substance abuse. Franklin's School Committee received a similar report recently. The School Department has not completely spread the information in this report. Please be aware that information sessions will be held via PCC and other channels in the near future. The police chief is also reported to come to the School Committee to provide the "town impact" side of the information.

Within Franklin, while "the budget, budget, budget" is very important, the reason the budget is important is that much of the money is used for educational purposes, like this!