Written by Paul McNeil, CLOSE Program Coordinator

In an effort to combat the growing concern of youth substance use, the community of Longmeadow began rallying together in 2016 to implement comprehensive prevention measures. Recognizing the critical importance of safeguarding their young population, Longmeadow Public Schools helped to develop CLOSE Community, the Coalition of Longmeadow Organizing Substance Education for the Community—led by caring volunteers including parents, educators, health care providers, grandparents, students, police officers, clergy, business owners & civic volunteers.

Since 2013, over 90% of LHS students have participated in a School Climate survey each spring which helps us to identify emerging trends and to target our health curriculum and interventions to the needs and concerns of our students. We compare our data with the Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey (MA YRBS). Most LHS students make healthy choices pertaining to substance use most of the time.  In our 2023 survey, when LHS students were asked about use in the past 30 days (an indicator of regular, current use): (a) 81% had not used alcohol, (b) 92% had not used e-cigs/vapes, (c) 89% had not used cannabis, (d) 90% had not binge drank, and (e) over 99% had not misused Rx medications (opiates, sedatives, or stimulants).

Cannabis Use: After a two-year spike in reported 30-day use from 2017-2019, we’ve seen a 53% decrease in 12th-grade cannabis use, with 2.4% of LHS 12th graders reporting daily use. A majority of daily users started at age 14 or younger.  Students who reported cannabis use in the past 12 months reported using with friends at night (80%), weekend parties (67%), home (parents didn’t know (67%), & after school events (33%).

Driving Under the Influence: Since our survey started in 2013, LHS 12-grade students have exercised more caution than their counterparts throughout the state when it comes to regularly driving impaired by alcohol (2%).  In 2023, 6% of seniors reported driving after using cannabis in the last 30 days,  while 17% reported riding with a cannabis-impaired driver—an increase of more than 30% since 2021.. The risk of being involved in a fatal crash doubles with cannabis-impaired driving (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Ongoing collaboration with law enforcement, parents, teachers, and students is underway for strategies to reduce this risky behavior.

Risk Factors and Areas of Concern: (1) Mental Health: 36% of LHS Students report experiencing symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder in the past 12 months. 28% report symptoms associated with depression, 22% report symptoms associated with an eating disorder. Continuation of our Social Emotional Learning efforts, access to counselors/development of community resources is vital to addressing needs. (2) Vaping: While LHS student cigarette use remains low, the regular use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS—such as the Juul or Phix) peaked at 28% in 2018 in keeping with a national trend.  14% of students felt there was no to slight risk of harm from ENDS use. 8% of LHS students report using ENDS (not cigarettes, specifically) in the past 30 days, a decrease of more than 72% in 4 years, and 3% report daily use of ENDS. 85% of daily ENDS users also use cannabis regularly; and were 12X more likely to be daily cannabis users.

For more information about our work in the schools (evidence-based curricula grades 3-10, positive social norms marketing campaigns, 12th-grade Recovery panels, SBIRT) or in the community (mock teen bedroom, free Narcan training, parent ed events, focus groups) please visit our website at closecommunity.org or email info@closecommunity.org.