UPCOMING MEETINGS - ALL ARE WELCOME!

The Coalition will meet the second Friday of the month in the Summer 2009.   All are encouraged to attend!!

• Friday, July 10th, 9am - 10 am, Mayor's Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Melrose City Hall
• Friday, August 14th, 9am - 10 am, Mayor's Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Melrose City Hall

Note:  Fall 2009 dates/times TBD.....

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

CURRENT HAPPENINGS

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.

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.
• All are welcome!

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 discussion in community around behaviors that cross the line.  Click to view sticker, alcohol poster, and marijuana poster.

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

• Healthy Alternatives for summer....visit the Recreation Department or YMCA's Common Ground websites for upcoming events.

• Environmental Scan....click here to check out what teens found at teen party "hotspots"!

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

ARE YOU RAISING A CHILD BETWEEN THE AGES OF 8-15?  If so, Guiding Good Choices is for you!  For more information, CLICK HERE!

• A total of 118 Melrose families have participated in 15 workshop series!  Thanks to Melrose YMCA, St. Mary's Parish, and Trinity Episcopal Church for their continued in-kind space support.
• Contact Donna if you are interested in learning more and/or signing up for one of our 3 Fall 2009 workshops.

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.

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 will give 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 COMING SOON

• 2009 data to be presented by the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities and the School Health Advisory Committee to School Committee Tues, Sept 8, 2009 at 7pm
• Melrose 7th-12th grade 2007 YRBS results-PowerPoint presentation
• Melrose High School 2007 YRBS results-Executive Summary
• Melrose Middle School 2007 YRBS results-Executive Summary

 PAST or ONGOING HAPPENINGS

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!
• Incorporation into MWH intake was piloted in the Winter 2008/2009.

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.

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

• 500 residents received these tips through the Oct 2008 Health Department flu clinics.
• Click here to view our tips 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

PARENTAL PERCEPTION OF YOUTH BEHAVIOR

• 2nd Round of Pride survey data from 4th-12th grade faculty, staff, and parents is in!
• For the PowerPoint slides which were presented to School Committee on June 10th, 2008, click HERE
• 3rd Round to be conducted Winter 2009/2010.