alcohol

Bedford, Mass. Police to Conduct Alcohol Compliance Checks of Local Establishments

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Bedford Police Department
Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police to Conduct Alcohol Compliance Checks of Local Establishments

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno reports that the Bedford Police Department, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), will be conducting alcohol compliance checks at local establishments that are licensed to sell alcohol.

“Alcohol consumption by young people has a profound effect on society,” Chief Bongiorno said. “Alcohol use by teens is related to traffic crashes, crime, poor performance in school and a number of other behaviors having an adverse impact on the quality of life in a community like ours. These compliance checks ensure that licensed establishments are following the law by only selling alcohol to adults 21 and over.”

Lawful alcohol compliance checks are vital in ensuring that establishments obey the laws pertaining to the sale of alcohol, especially with regard to underage drinking. No single approach is meant entirely solve the nationwide problem of underage drinking. Bedford Police partner with other town organizations, including the Bedford Public Schools and Bedford Youth and Family Services on a number of programs and strategies. Each approach, implemented effectively, may help to reduce underage drinking and its potentially life-altering or endangering effects.

Bedford Police intend to conduct compliance checks over the next several months. They will continue to do so periodically to ensure the safety of youth in the community and that licensed establishments are in compliance with the law.

The Bedford Police Department would like to thank the community for their continued efforts and support. Any questions pertaining to this information may be directed to Lt. Scott Jones at [email protected] or 781-275-1212 ext. 128.

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Avon High School Group Works with Elementary School Students on Substance Abuse Prevention

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Avon Public Schools
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
1 Patrick Clark Drive
Avon, MA 02322

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Avon High School Group Works with Elementary School Students on Substance Abuse Prevention

AVON — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to announce that the high school group, Students Advocating Life without Substance Abuse (SALSA), recently spoke to several Avon elementary school students about saying no to drugs and alcohol.

On Thursday, April 12, 10 members of the SALSA club visited fifth and sixth grade students at Butler Elementary School to give a presentation.

At the beginning of the school year, the SALSA members signed pledges stating that they would not use any drugs or alcohol. They also committed to being leaders at school and in the community and would strive to be role models to their peers and fellow students.


In their presentation to the elementary school students, they spoke about their personal reasons for remaining drug and alcohol free and how their decisions impact the goals they have set for themselves.


The presentation included skits where students successfully declined peer pressure by demonstrating refusal skills and making healthy and smart choices.


The SALSA students were able to make personal connections with their younger peers as part of the presentation and helped them formulate their own refusal responses when faced with peer pressure and unhealthy choices.


“This is a great way for some of our younger students to see first-hand that it’s OK to say no to drugs and alcohol. They’re hearing it directly from high school students who have been in some of these situations before,” said Amanda Decker, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for Avon. “Because young people still have developing brains, they tend to act first and think second. Developing refusal skills at a young age helps younger students to be prepared with a well thought out response before they encounter a decision involving unhealthy behavior.”

In addition to the presentation, an email letter was also sent home to parents and guardians to help them follow up with their children to strengthen their refusal skills.

    

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Bridgewater Police Charge Man After He Crashes Motor Vehicle into House

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Bridgewater Police Department
Christopher Delmonte, Chief of Police
220 Pleasant St.
Bridgewater, MA 02324

For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 2, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bridgewater Police Charge Man After He Crashes Motor Vehicle into House

BRIDGEWATER — Chief Christopher D. Delmonte reports that the Bridgewater Police Department charged a man after he crashed his motor vehicle into a home early Sunday morning.

DANIEL WATTS, AGE 33, OF BRIDGEWATER, is charged with:

  • Operating Under the Influence of Liquor
  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle

On Sunday Oct. 1, at approximately 4 a.m., the Bridgewater Police Department received a 911 report that a motor vehicle had driven into the side of a home at 21 Auburn St.

Police and fire responded to the scene and located the driver, identified as WATTS, conscious and alert inside the vehicle. He was transported via the Bridgewater Fire Department’s ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries.

A preliminary investigation revealed that WATTS was driving a 2015 Hyundai Tucson at a high rate of speed on Auburn Street. He then lost control of the vehicle, drove off the road and struck the stone and brick foundation of a screened porch at 21 Auburn St.

The impact of the crash caused the Hyundai to leave the ground and continue traveling along the foundation, also striking the laundry room of the home. The Hyundai finally came to rest after hitting a 2008 Chevy Uplander, owned by the homeowner, that was parked in the driveway. No one was injured inside the home.

The Hyundai sustained serious damage and was towed from the scene. The Chevy and the home also sustained substantial damage from the crash.

This incident remains under investigation by the Bridgewater Police Department. WATTS will be summonsed to Brockton District Court at a later date.

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Avon Public Schools Sees Nearly 30 Percent Reduction in Alcohol and Drug Use

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Avon Public Schools
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
1 Patrick Clark Drive
Avon, MA 02322

For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 2, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Avon Public Schools Sees Nearly 30 Percent Reduction in Alcohol and Drug Use in Less Than 10 Years

Programs Implemented Through Drug-Free Communities Grant

AVON — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to announce that Avon Public Schools has seen a 29 percent drop in alcohol and drug use among its students in less than a decade.

The town is now entering into its ninth year of its Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant, which officials are using to continue to lower the rate of substance abuse in youths.

Awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the five-year grant provides recipients with $125,000 each year to implement programs and practices to address their community’s needs. Avon is on its second five-year grant allocation.

In 2007, prior to obtaining the grant, students at Avon Middle High School completed a youth health survey, which revealed that 47 percent were drinking on a regular basis. By 2015, through proactive educational endeavors, that number dropped to 18 percent. Preliminary results from last year’s survey indicate the numbers continue to trend downward.

“It took a lot of different strategies to make that happen, but we’re really proud of these numbers,” said Amanda Decker, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for Avon.

The first step came in 2008 when Avon formed the Avon Coalition for Every Student (ACES), which researched and implement strategies to curb alcohol and drug use in youths. Founding members included the police and fire chiefs, the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, Avon Counseling, South Bay Mental Health, three parents, representatives from the Avon Public Schools administration team and a member of the School Committee.

Working on a volunteer basis, the coalition spent much of its first year collecting data and identifying risk factors that contribute to youth alcohol and drug use. After receiving the Drug-Free Communities grant in 2009, ACES began working to change the conversation about substance use.

They started the social norms campaign, which involved challenging students’ perceptions of what they believed to be reality. While the youth health survey indicated that 47 percent of students were abusing alcohol, the coalition focused on talking about the 53 percent of students — the majority — who were not.

“With young people, we learned that if their perception was that most of the student population was drinking and doing drugs, they would feel more compelled to be part of that,” Decker said. “So, by educating them that the majority of students were not abusing substances, we were able to alter their attitudes. As the statistics began trending downward, we continued to promote those positive behaviors.”

Through its research, ACES found that students were most likely to use alcohol or drugs after school, so members of the coalition worked to make sure kids always had something positive to do once they finished classes. Every year, Avon Middle High School hosts an ice cream social to share information about available after school programs, activities and clubs. Students are encouraged to sign up for at least one.

A student version of ACES also formed and provides feedback and ideas to the ACES, which in turn brings in speakers and implements new programs and campaigns. Last year, the coalition hosted a “You Asked For It” question and answer session. Students prepared a number of inquiries about alcohol and drugs, and a panel of school officials and community members answered.

This year, the coalition is working on a large campaign encouraging parents to talk to their children early and often about making healthy choices.

“I can’t give enough positive feedback to ACES, both the student and community groups, for all the work they’ve done over the last eight years,” Superintendent Zinni said. “Through their numerous educational campaigns, we have been able to drastically reduce the number of students who are using alcohol and drugs in town. I believe that as we persist with our work, especially over the next two years with the Drug-Free Communities grant, we’ll continue to see positive results.”

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