Community Youth Substance Abuse Prevention

The last decade has provided solid research to guide the prevention and treatment of youth substance use. However, one local funder, the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation, found that local communities were not using this research in their practice.

In 2004, the Foundation funded HHD to create the MetroWest Technical Assistance Center to work closely with 11 local towns that received funding to reduce high rates of teen drinking and drug use. The Center helps communities to assess problems, assets, and readiness for change; shares research on best practice programs and policies; and guides the strategic planning and implementation of these practices for each town.

As a result, community awareness and public will to address youth substance use have increased, policies have been improved and enforced, and communities are sharing strategies with each other. Biannual youth risk surveys, administered by HHD, will monitor reductions in youth substance use and other risk behaviors for the next decade.