CANTON YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN SADD SPEAK NOW! EVENT AT MA STATE HOUSE

On May 7th, youth from Canton, MA joined nearly 200 young people from across the Commonwealth gathered at the Massachusetts State House for a SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)-sponsored SPEAK Now! (Students Promoting Education and Knowledge) event to talk with lawmakers about the impact of prevention work on alcohol and substance abuse in their communities. The Canton High School students are members of SADD, providing students with the best prevention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, risky and impaired driving, and other destructive decisions. 

“Our Administration is pleased to partner with SADD and supportive organizations throughout the Commonwealth to increase participation among communities and maximize prevention resources to help more young people avoid the temptation of alcohol and other drugs,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Chair of the Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention. “Through this joint effort, we are also engaging young people in communities and schools to raise awareness to help combat the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.” 

While at the State House, youth received training, visited with lawmakers, and participated in a speaking program with Lt. Governor Timothy Murray and Interim Commissioner, MA Department of Public Health, Dr. Lauren Smith, as well as featured speaker, Marisa Silveri, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School. The young people used their time with the lawmakers to discuss how parents and other caring adults can make a difference when it comes to youth alcohol and substance abuse and how drinking alcohol or using other drugs before the age of 21 can permanently affect full brain development.  

"These students are gaining valuable life skills and are eager to share their passion and their perspectives on prevention education with their legislators," remarked Penny Wells, SADD president and CEO. "These emerging leaders will have a positive and lasting effect on public policy, demonstrating the power of youth to speak persuasively on an issue that is critically important to their generation."

Legislators were receptive and interested to hear Massachusetts-specific statistics such as (1) there has been a significant rise in marijuana use since 2003, in fact, 43% of youth surveyed have tried marijuana in their lifetime (Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2011) and (2) in 2011, 40% of high school students reported having one drink of alcohol in the past 30 days and 22% had five or more drinks of alcohol in the past 30 days. 

“Students from across Massachusetts have come together to expand positive peer pressure and educate adults on the impact alcohol and other drugs can have on a still-developing brain,” said Julie Nickerson, Hingham High School senior and member of the Massachusetts SADD Student Advisory Board. “We were excited to discuss the research and the impact we have made locally, as well as encourage lawmakers to spread the word to parents about how they can help reduce alcohol and other drug use among youth.”