Parents and caregivers are the single strongest influence on a young person’s decision whether or not to use drugs[1], yet many parents may not feel they have the tools to effectively guide their children towards making healthy decisions.

As part of its commitment to supporting local youth and families, MassCALL3 Prevention Partners are pleased to announce the campaign: “Guardrails, Not Roadblocks,” created in partnership with parents and guardians of Dedham, Needham, Walpole, and Westwood youth. The campaign encourages parents to:

• TALK to their child about expectations and consequences related to substance use;
• CONNECT with other parents if their child spends time at a friend’s home, and;
• TAKE ACTION to keep alcohol and other substances locked up safely in their home.

Local data shows that 30% of Dedham High School students who used alcohol in the past month reported accessing that alcohol from home without their parent or guardian’s knowledge, and 31% of DHS students who used alcohol in the past month reported accessing it from home with their parent or guardian’s knowledge.[2] “Despite decreases in substance use over the years, there is still work to be done to improve youth health and safety,” said Lydia Cunningham, Substance Use Prevention Program Coordinator at the Needham Public Health Division.

During an important developmental time of exploration and discovery, substance use can impair judgement and decision making.[3] “We know that one of the best ways to keep kids safe is to talk openly - parents have been doing it all throughout their children’s lives and we’ve seen the difference it makes,” said Cunningham. The Guardrails, Not Roadblocks Campaign aims to build on the momentum created in the community through the “Talk. They Hear You” Campaign and various initiatives by the Dedham Organization for Substance Awareness (DOSA).

This campaign invites parents and caregivers to view other parents as allies when communicating and enforcing clear expectations. “We heard from the parents we partnered with that parenting is a work in progress, and everyone is trying to figure out how to best support their children as they gain more independence. If we imagine our role to be setting clear and consistent expectations to keep our kids on a safe path, we can work together to keep them from veering off the road: Expectations are guardrails, not roadblocks,” said Cunningham.

The Guardrails, Not Roadblocks Campaign posters will be visible around Dedham and in surrounding communities beginning this month. The MassCALL3 regional partnership is funded by a multi-year prevention grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is managed by staff at the Needham Public Health Division. MassCALL3 Prevention Partners work together with municipal employees, town leaders, and residents of all ages across the towns of Dedham, Needham, Walpole, and Westwood to prevent and reduce underage substance use and build prevention capacity by establishing and strengthening connections and advocating for programs, policies, and practices to enhance community health and safety. To view the campaign materials online, visit Prevention Partners’ Instagram @preventionpartners and Facebook @PreventionPartners-MassCALL3. For more information on the work of MassCALL3 Prevention Partners, visit preventionpartnersmc3.com.