October 20, 2022
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
October 29, 2022
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. The event takes place from 10AM to 2PM, *unless stated otherwise.

Bridgewater Police Department
220 PLEASANT STREET

Brockton's Council on Aging
10 FATHER KENNEY WAY
Flyers for the Brockton event are available in Spanish,

East Bridgewater Sachem Rock Center
335 PLYMOUTH STREET
EB is hosting a Community Shredding Event in combination
with the Take-Back Event from 10AM to 1PM*

Hanson Police Department 
775 MAIN STREET 10AM-1PM*

Raynham Police Department
30 ORCHARD STREET

Rockland Police Department 
490 MARKET STREET

Whitman Police Department 
20 ESSEX STREET 9AM-12PM*
Please note this is a drive thru event

October is National Medicine Misuse Awareness Month:

  • Did you know that one in 25 youth ages 12 through 17 has misused cough medicine to get high?
  • Help raise awareness of the dangers of prescription (Rx) drug misuse and over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine!
  • Click here to check out our local resources of prescription drug prevention!
October is National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month:
  • "The need for prevention has never been greater. Studies show that the earlier in life a young person starts using alcohol or other drugs, the greater their lifetime risk of misuse or addiction"- SAMHSA
  • Click here to check out our online resources to help local youth!
Collaborative News
Bridgewater's Autumn Fest
On September 23rd the Bridgewater Business Association hosted the 33rd Annual Bridgewater Autumn Fest. Our prevention team co-hosted a resource table for the local substance use coalition Bridging LIVES, along with student volunteers from the Bridging LIVES Peer Leaders group. The group was able to engage hundreds of community members and share our prevention message!
Rob Hackenson at Raynham Middle School
On October 3rd "Edutainer" Rob Hackenson from Dynamic Influence presented at Raynham Middle School on the impacts of vaping products, the power of influence and perception, and how to make their own decisions to build their future. The Bridging LIVES Peer Leaders introduced themselves and Rob to the students and handed out resources!

Click here to check out his website!
Rockland CARES Overdose Prevention Training
This past month, prevention staff from the Collaborative were able to provide a train the trainer for Rockland CARES members to host a community overdose prevention training at the Rockland vs. Abington football game.

At the game, Rockland CARES teamed up with Abington COPES to teach over 20 individuals on how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and administer life saving Narcan.
Collaborative's Regional Meeting
On October 13th, the Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative held its regional meeting at Independence Academy to bring together members from its five community coalitions to share current substance use prevention initiatives taking place.

To learn more about what's going on locally in prevention and how you can get involved, please contact our team at preventionservices@hptc.org!
Plymouth Area Overdose Vigil
The Plymouth Area Overdose Vigil held on the lawn of Middleborough Town Hall took place on September 21st and had over 100 in attendance. Each year after the vigil, we are inspired and reminded of how fortunate we are to be a part of this critical work. We are so grateful and proud of the community that comes together to connect and empower one another as we heal and remember all of the victims of the opioid crisis. We hope the vigil brought you the same sense of community, comfort, and healing. We will continue to fight in honor of those lost and still suffering. đź’ś

Independence Academy of Brockton
Who They Are:
Independence Academy is a Recovery High School in Brockton, MA, working with adolescents across Southeastern MA ages 14-19 struggling with issues related to drug or alcohol use. Independence Academy offers a multi-tiered intervention model for students that is focused on personal growth and development with an emphasis on their overall health and wellness. The school offers the following programs to meet the various needs of students:

Consultation
  • Duration/Cost: 3 individual sessions with student, 1 follow-up with parent, NO COST
  • Eligibility: Students ages 14-18 who are believed to be “high risk” due to their use of substances
  • Days/Time: Flexible depending on schedules and availability
  • Location: Sessions can occur at the family’s home, student’s school, or at Independence Academy

Upper Course Program
  • Duration/Cost: 10 school days – NO COST
  • Eligibility: Students ages 14-18 who are determined to be “high risk” or who are suspended from school for a substance-related offense
  • Days/Time: Monday – Friday (9:00AM - 12:30PM)
  • Admission: Students are enrolled on a “rolling admissions” basis and can generally start the next school day

45 Day School-Based Intervention
  • Duration: 45 school days + 30 school days of follow up post-transition.
  • Cost: NO COST
  • Eligibility: Students who have successfully completed the Upper Course
  • Days/Time: Mon.,Tue., Thurs., Fri. (9AM - 3:35PM) Wed. (9AM - 12:15PM)
  • Admission: Students are enrolled on a cohort basis at the beginning of each academic quarter

For more information contact Principal Ryan Morgan at rmorgan@nrcollab.org or visit their website.
Our Co-op Partnership
Co-op Senior: Frankie Allocca
Design & Visual Communications
Working with Southshore Vocational Technical School's Cooperative Education Program has been extremely valuable for High Point's Prevention Services department. Frankie Allocca is a senior in the Graphic Communications shop and has worked with prevention staff to create digital content for social media, school newsletters, local businesses, as well as billboards warning youth, parents, and the community at large about the dangers of under-aged substance use. This year, Frankie is also supporting prevention efforts of the school's Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) chapter, working to make a positive difference in the school and community.

Learn more here!
Do You Know Youth Who Want To Be Involved?
This amazing group of students meets virtually and in person to plan regional prevention efforts on a monthly basis. The youth coalition is responsible for planning and implementing the Collaborative's annual youth conference. Being part of this group is a great learning experience for young people to connect with like-minded peers, partner with experts on current substance use prevention efforts and build skills around leadership and advocacy throughout the year. The youth coalition has begun planning the youth conference which will be held in March of 2022 at Stonehill College!
This Months Spotlight Featuring:
Whitman Hanson WILL
Whitman Hanson WILL is the substance use prevention coalition serving the towns of Whitman and Hanson. The coalition is part of the regional Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative with the mission to save lives from substance use and limit the impact it has on the community

Check out the coalition's website!
Chris Herren Presentation
In partnership with Whitman Hanson Regional School District, Whitman Hanson WILL sponsored Chris Herren to come and present for students in grades 8 to 12. Chris shared his story of recovery and emphasized that we often focus on the worst day when we talk about addiction rather than the first day. We provided resources such as "you are not alone" bracelets to students and paper resources on how to help a friend in need.

Check out his website to learn more!
October Book Corner
Hey Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka
Hey Kiddo is a pre-teen/teen appropriate graphic novel discussing the topic of addiction and its impact on the whole family. This memoir follows Jarrett through his childhood and into teen years as he grapples with his mother's addiction, tracks down his father, and finding what helps him survive.

Click here to purchase the book!
Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative| 508- 742-4405 | opioidoverdoseprevention@gmail.com | www.opioidoverdoseprevention.org