Like many organizations in this economy, our grant funding is disappearing....please support this vital work by donating!

Donations of any amount are tax deductible and much appreciated.

You can mail or drop off a check, payable to the City of Melrose, to Kara Showers at the Health Dept (address above).

Please don't hesitate to contact Kara if you have any questions!

UPCOMING MEETINGS - ALL ARE WELCOME!

The Coalition meets monthly.   All are encouraged to attend!!

• Thursday, March 4th, 8:30am - 9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room, Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Prkway)

• Thursday, April 1st, 8:30am - 9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room, Melrose High School 

• Thursday, May 6th, 8:30am - 9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room, Melrose High School 

• Thursday, June 3rd, 8:30am - 9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room, Melrose High School 

Want to become a member?  Or want to browse meeting agendas, minutes, or Action Team information? Visit the Coalition Members' page.

CURRENT HAPPENINGS

PARENTAL PERCEPTION OF YOUTH BEHAVIOR

• The Pride survey is back!  The 3rd administration of this survey to Melrose parents and faculty/staff of 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students is here.
• Surveys were due Mon, Feb 8th, 2010 so please get yours in this week!
• Parents:  look for your survey in the mail or you can fill it out online:  http://online.pridesurveys.com.  Use code: up098002.  Password: 73868485
• Faculty/staff:  you can fill out your survey at your school or you can fill it out online: http://online.pridesurveys.com.  Use code: fs098002.  Password: 84692824.
• Pride survey data from 4th-12th grade faculty, staff, and parents was presented to School Committee in June 2008, click HERE.

ARE YOU RAISING A CHILD BETWEEN THE AGES OF 8-14?  If so, Guiding Good Choices is for you!  For more information, CLICK HERE!

• Spring 2010 Workshop Dates + Registration Form
• A total of 111 Melrose families have completed this workshop series to-date.
• Thanks to Eastern Bank for the $500 Community Grant we've received to continue running this program and to Melrose YMCA, St. Mary's Parish, City of Melrose, First United Methodist Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church for their continued in-kind space support.
• Still have a question?  Contact Donna.

SPECIAL PANEL SAYS STATE IN THE MIDST OF OXYCONTIN/HEROIN EPIDEMIC

• Click here to view the report.
• Click here to access news article.

TIPS ON SAFE STORAGE AND PROPER DISPOSAL OF YOUR UNUSED or EXPIRED MEDICATIONS

• Click here to view our tips sheet.

YOUTH ACTION TEAM WORK CONTINUES.....

• Melrose Draws the Line (Credit to Wyoming's We Draw the Line)....where do you draw the line?  Visit the Melrose Draws the Line website to post your story!  Campaign is designed to spark community discussion around behaviors that cross the line.  Click to view sticker, alcohol poster, and marijuana poster.

• Environmental Scan....click here to check out what teens found at teen party "hotspots"!  Youth are continuing to scan and a report is being compiled.

• Thanks to Roosevelt and Hoover schools for piloting our Media Literacy lessons Spring 2009!  Taught by middle school reps and Youth Advisor to 3rd-5th graders...click here for info packet and pre/post survey results.  Coming in Spring 2010 to Hoover and Lincoln!

• Healthy Alternatives....visit Memorial Hall, Recreation Department , and  YMCA's Common Ground websites for upcoming events.

• To learn more, visit the Coalition Members' page.

HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE MELROSE POLICE DEPT TIP LINE?

• You are the eyes and ears of your community!!
• Call and report any tips or suspicious activity....Melrose Police Anonymous Tip Line....(781) 665-TIPS
• Click here if you're not sure what to report.....

SOCIAL HOST LIABILITY ....what is it?

• Click here to view this local ordinance
• This law gives our Police Department one of the tools they need to hold private homeowners, who are providing alcohol to underage kids, civilly responsible for doing so.
• Click here to access brochure that is being used for outreach to parents and other homeowners!

2009 YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY (YRBS) RESULTS ARE IN

• 2009 data was presented by the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities and the School Health Advisory Committee to the School Committee in October 2009.  Visit Melrose Public Schools website for the presentation.
• Melrose High School 2009 YRBS results-Executive Summary
• Melrose Middle School 2009 YRBS results-Executive Summary

MARIJUANA HAS BEEN DECRIMINALIZED IN MASSACHUSETTS

• Click here to get more information on what this means.
• Once the Police Department gets their local policies in place, the Coalition will work with them to get the information out to all Melrose residents.

 PAST or ONGOING HAPPENINGS

HOLIDAY ARTICLES for your reading pleasure!

• For parents.....SADD's 'Tis the Season
• For all......Donation Request

SCREENING, BRIEF INTERVENTION, AND REFERRAL TO TREATMENT (SBIRT)

• In collaboration with Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Emergency and Psychiatric Departments.
• This is a practical, evidence-based method that provides clinicians with tools to address behaviors such as high risk drinking, drug use, and smoking, and overcome patients’ resistance to change.
• 25+ MWH employees have been trained to use this technique and incorporation into MWH intake was piloted in the Winter 2008/2009.

VICTORIAN FAIR

• Sunday, September 13th from ~11a-3pm on Main Street.
• We'll have a booth...please visit!

COMMUNITY NIGHT OUT

• Coming Thursday, August 6th from 6-9pm at Pine Banks!
• This event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, among other things.  For more national info on this event, visit http://www.nationalnightout.org/nno/about.html.
• Join us.  All are welcome!

THE FOURTH OF JULY IS COMING.....make it a safe one!

• If you plan to host or attend a party, click HERE to read about what you can do to prevent drunk driving.
• Click to view our community poster.

COALITION AND POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVE $5,000 UNDERAGE DRINKING GRANT from state's Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (Highway Safety Division) to cover alcohol compliance checks, surveillance and party patrols.  This mini-grant is effective Dec 31-May 31 '09 and extra patrols begin Superbowl Sunday, Feb 1st!

ENERGY DRINKS...what is the deal?

• Click here to view our info sheet.

CITIZENS DRUG RECOGNITION ACADEMY

• Free informative and entertaining series of presentations to help adults recognize drugs, drug paraphernalia and the signs of drug abuse on the eyes and body.
• Taught by expert Marilyn Belmonte www.drugabuserecognition.com