Prevention in Action: How Medfield Outreach and MCAP Work to Protect and Empower Youth

Prevention in Action: How Medfield Outreach and MCAP Work to Protect and Empower Youth

Written by Emily Gowell, UMass Lowell Master of Public Health Intern

Medfield Outreach is the Town of Medfield’s official social services department committed to
supporting the community's residents with counseling, case management, and connecting
individuals and families with resources. The department also oversees two coalitions that focus
on prevention and public health: the Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) and
Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP). These coalitions extend the reach of Medfield
Outreach by engaging the wider community in addressing the critical issues of suicide
prevention and youth substance use.

MCAP brings together parents, students, educators, health professionals, and town leaders to
prevent youth substance use, promote mental health, and encourage positive decision-making.
Its mission is to foster a healthy, safe environment for young people through education,
awareness, and collaborative community action.

In 2019, MCAP received a five-year Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant, a federal funding
initiative supported by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This funding has enabled MCAP to expand
its prevention programs, deepen community partnerships, and support a dedicated Substance
Use Prevention Coordinator to lead local efforts. In 2024, the coalition reapplied and was
awarded another five years of funding (extending until 2029). These continued funds will help
the coalition to sustain meaningful and important collaboration with the Medfield community,
especially Medfield youth.

In fact, youth engagement remains at the heart of MCAP’s work through the Medfield Youth
Leadership Program (MYLP). This youth coalition empowers high school students to lead
peer-focused prevention efforts and develop leadership skills. Recently, the coalition has been
proud to support MCAP intern and Medfield High School student Lina Gatti in the creation of an
animation that educates peers about the risks of youth marijuana use.
As conversations around teen marijuana use grow, MCAP works to raise awareness of the
associated risk factors, such as academic pressure, early access, and social influences, as well
as the importance of protective factors like family support, healthy coping skills, and community
connectedness. Research shows that marijuana use during adolescence can have lasting
effects on brain development, mental health, and future success.1 The adolescent brain is still
developing until around the age of 25, and areas responsible for decision-making, impulse
1 Green, K. M., Doherty, E. E., & Ensminger, M. E. (2016). Long-term consequences of adolescent cannabis use:

Examining intermediary processes. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 43(5), 567–575.https://doi.org/10.1080/009529...
control, and emotional regulation tend to be vulnerable to certain substances. THC, the
psychoactive component of marijuana, can disrupt this development in these sectors of the
brain.2 Research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that marijuana use
in teens may alter brain structure and function, leading to long-term cognitive impairments.3
There is also a strong link between adolescent marijuana use and mental health issues. Regular
use has been associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal
thoughts. While some youth may use marijuana to cope with emotional distress, evidence
shows that it often worsens underlying mental health conditions.

Data from the most recent Metrowest Adolescent Health Survey (MWAHS, 2023) indicates that
these issues are still relevant in Medfield, reinforcing the need for proactive prevention
strategies. The survey indicated that 20% of Medfield High School (MHS) seniors are currently
using marijuana. Risk factors for youth marijuana use could include early access or exposure in
the home, lack of clear parental expectations, lack of engagement in school or extra-curriculars,
pre-existing mental health challenges and high levels of stress without healthy coping skills.
Those who fall under one or more of these categories are at a higher risk of beginning early
usage of marijuana. It was reported that 63% of MHS seniors thought it would be "fairly easy" or
"very easy" for them to obtain marijuana (MWAHS, 2023) which is why prevention work and
limiting access is important when it comes to keeping our youth safe.

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in prevention. Open conversations, clear expectations,
safe storage of substances that may be in the home, and involvement in community programs
are powerful tools to help guide youth toward healthy decisions.
If you're interested in making a difference, MCAP always welcomes new members. Join us in
building a stronger, healthier Medfield by supporting youth and fostering a community where
prevention is everyone's responsibility.

Call Medfield Outreach at 508-359-7121, or email medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to join today!

*****************

3 Brain structure differences are associated with early use of substances among adolescents | National Institute onDrug Abuse. (2024, December 30). National Institute on Drug Abuse.
https://nida.nih.gov/news-even...
-substances-among-adolescents
2 Burggren, A. C., Shirazi, A., Ginder, N., & London, E. D. (2019). Cannabis effects on brain structure, function, and cognition: considerations for medical uses of cannabis and its derivatives. The American Journal of Drug and
Alcohol Abuse, 45(6), 563–579. https://doi.org/10.1080/009529...