Vision
Needham is a cohesive community that supports all of our youth to grow, and develop to be substance free and healthy in mind, body, and spirit.



Mission
The Coalition incorporates a collaborative, community based, and data driven prevention approach to reduce alcohol, marijuana and other drug use among Needham youth. Through community education, partnership and strategic action, we decrease the risk factors and increase the protective factors associated with substance use to enhance the health and safety of our youth.

The Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (NCYSAP) is comprised of

comprised of leaders and stake holders from key sectors of a community including: parents, youth, business leaders, law enforcement, school and public service officials, health care professionals, faith-based organizations, media, youth serving representatives, state and local government agencies, social service providers and other community representatives. Our Coalition meets the first Tuesday morning of each month from 7:15  - 8:30 AM at the Needham Public Library sharing an open and honest dialogue on the high risk behaviors and substance use and abuse issues confronting Needham youth. The meetings this year meetings were regularly attended by 15-20 Needham community leaders, parents and youth.

NCYSAP members discuss the biological, psychological and legal consequences of underage substance use and how their prevention work can positively impact Needham youth and adults. Research shows that multi-sector, multi strategy approaches to substance abuse prevention, implemented by community coalitions, reduce alcohol and other drug use significantly. Our members are committed to implementing Environmental Prevention Strategies that impact access and availability, policy and enforcement, media advocacy and community norms.

The NCYSAP has 4 strategic goals: 
1) To build coalition capacity.
2) To prevent and reduce youth access to alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.
3) To change attitudes and social norms towards youth alcohol and substance abuse.
4) To increase protective factors that prevent youth alcohol and substance abuse in Needham.

Contact:  Carol Read, Program Director
              
Address:  1471 Highland Avenue 
               Needham, MA 02492
Phone:    (781) 455-7500 x. 259  Fax:        (781) 455-0892
Hours:     8:30am - 5pm Monday - Friday

Meeting Dates ~ Our Coalition meets the first Tuesday morning of every month

7:15am-8:30am at the Needham Public Library Community Room ~ All Are Welcome

2011

Tuesday, December 6th

2012

Tuesday, January 3rd
Tuesday, February 7th
Tuesday, March 6th
Tuesday, April 3rd
Tuesday, May 1st
Tuesday, June 5th
Tuesday, July 3rd
Tuesday, August 7th
Tuesday, September 4th
Tuesday, October 2nd
Tuesday, November 6th
Tuesday, December 4th

The Coalition routinely hosts events to foster the educational and collaborative nature of it's mission. Please check our events listing to learn about our past and future events.