Addiction

Movie, Discussion of Addiction at Free Event at Mosesian Center for the Arts

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The following information was provided by the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network:

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center and PBS’ science series, NOVA, are holding a screening of the documentary, Addiction. The screening is free and open to the public. The film, produced by NOVA, a program of WGBH Boston, takes a hard look at the science of addiction. Addiction features firsthand accounts from individuals and families struggling with opioid addiction. While addiction has long been viewed as a moral failing, leading scientists will help viewers understand why addiction is a disorder that occurs as a result of drugs profoundly altering the brain. Addictionexplores how we might best address our drug problem, from advances in neuroscience, the development of evidence-based treatments to the rethinking of laws and public policies. A panel of local experts will be on hand to answer audience questions following the film including:

Dr. Laura Kehoe, medical director, MGH Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, also featured in the filmDr. Dara Arons, family physician, Charles River Community HealthDr. Damian Archer, chief medical officer, North Shore Community Health CenterPeter Airasian, co-founder, Watertown Overcoming Addiction

When: Tues., March 5, 2019, 6–8:30 p.m.

Where: Mosesian Center, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA

Eventbrite RSVP: https://bit.ly/2UTpujx or contact Stephanie_Sunderland@waysideyouth.org

A Narcan training will be provided by the Watertown Fire Department.

Around Town

Free Screening of Addiction Documentary to be Followed by Discussion by Experts

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Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center and PBS’ science series, NOVA, are holding a screening of the documentary, Addiction. The screening is free and open to the public. The film, produced by NOVA, a program of WGBH Boston, takes a hard look at the science of addiction. Addiction features firsthand accounts from individuals and families struggling with opioid addiction. While addiction has long been viewed as a moral failing, leading scientists will help viewers understand why addiction is a disorder that occurs as a result of drugs profoundly altering the brain.

Around Town

Don’t Suffer During the Holidays, Help is Available in Watertown

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Wayside Multi Service Center, Watertown Senior Center and Advocates sent out the following public service announcement:

The most wonderful time of the year? This is the sentiment that surrounds us during the holiday season. Celebrate, Be merry. From television, to radio, in schools, homes, and work, everywhere you turn these are the messages we see but for many this is not the case. This time of year, brings pain and sadness and can leave people feeling isolated and
alone.

Around Town

Wayside Multi Service Center the Cause of the Month at Not Your Average Joe’s

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You can dine at Not Your Average Joe’s in Watertown and raise money for the Wayside Multi Service Center, the group announced. Waysdie is the cause of month for November at Not Your Average Joe’s. Every Tuesday if you present the flyer 15% of your total purchase will go to Wayside Multi. NYAJ fund raiser for Watertown Youth Coalition by Charlie Breitrose on Scribd

Wayside Multi-Service Center  is a non-profit group that provides prevention, outreach and counseling services to the diverse populations of Watertown and surrounding communities. The Multi embraces the development and enhancement of resiliency skills to enable youth and adults to deal with personal and community issues more effectively.

Around Town

Adult Mental Health First Aid Training Course Being Offered in Watertown

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The Wayside Multi-Service Center will be putting on a number of upcoming mental health first aid trainings, including one in Watertown. One of the four is the Mental Health First Aid training for adults, which is offered less frequently, said Wayside Prevention Program Coordinator Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey. The adult mental health first aid course takes place Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Watertown Police Department Community Room, 552 Main St. in Watertown.

Around Town

Two Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings Available for Watertown Residents

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Two Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings open to Watertown residents will be offered in November and December. A young person you know could be experiencing a mental health or substance use problem. Learn an action plan to help. The sessions will be held in Brighton and in Brookline. “Sometimes, first aid isn’t a bandage, or CPR, Sometimes, first aid is YOU!”

Schools

Underage Drinking, Stress and Bullying Concern in Youth Risk Behavior Study

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The biggest concern for Watertown youth is their access to alcohol, said members of the Watertown Youth Coalition, but other drugs, including prescription opiates, as well as depression and suicide also rank high in the latest Watertown Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The Watertown Youth Coalition received surveys from 73 percent of Watertown High School students and 87 percent of Watertown Middle Schoolers in the 2014 survey, Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey, Prevention Program coordinator for the Wayside Multi-Service Center, told the School Committee last week. The survey (click here to see) covers tobacco use, drinking, marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs and opioids, as well as bullying, depression and suicide attempts. Surveys stretch back 16 years, and are given every two or three years. Sunderland-Ramsey said she hopes to survey students in the spring of 2017.

Around Town

Watertown Students Attend Anti-Susbstance Abuse Confrerence in Las Vegas

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Four high school peer leaders and their Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Advisors, Shanesha Christmas and Dawn Graham, from the Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC) and Waltham Youth & Community Coalition (WYACC) joined approximately 2,000 substance abuse prevention and treatment specialists from across the country in Las Vegas from July 17-21 for CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) 2016 Mid-Year Training Institute. The week-long training, held at The Mirage, taught participants how to address one of our nation’s biggest public health challenges – youth substance use. CADCA’s Mid-Year Training Institute was a one-of-a-kind intensive training opportunity, offering more than 70 half-day and two-day courses geared towards helping participants find solutions to their community’s toughest substance abuse problems.

“The Mid-Year is a unique professional development opportunity for anyone trying to prevent and reduce drug abuse, and its related problems, in their community,” said General Arthur T. Dean, CADCA’s Chairman and CEO. “After four days of intensive training, participants will return to their communities with new skills and strategies, and a clearer roadmap to create environments where young people can thrive.”

This year’s Mid-Year featured a number of renowned experts in the field of substance abuse and prevention, with keynote remarks by Dr. Moira O’Neil, senior researcher and director of interpretation at the Frameworks Institute. The training event covered a wide range of topics – everything from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and reduce heroin use to how to create tobacco-free environments, reduce impaired driving and develop policies to reduce marijuana use, synthetic drug use and underage drinking.