Lynnfield 11-1

NOVEMBER 1, 2018
Last year, the Healthy
Lynnfield Substance Abuse
Coalition was formed to empower
residents to make positive
choices daily. One of the
first things the 40-member team
did was ask students in grades
7-12, and their parents, to complete
an anonymous risk behavior
survey.
The coalition said the survey
was intended as a first step to
improve the overall quality of
life for those struggling with
opioid recovery, addiction,
mental health and chemical dependency
issues in a compassionate
manner.
The findings revealed some
students have health issues, Cyr
said.
“Just like any other town,
there are students with substance
abuse issues involving
alcohol and drugs,” he said.
“We are trying to be more
proactive.”
The data, he said, revealed
some students face social and
emotional issues, such as suicidal
thoughts.
“It’s not like a drug of choice
jumped off the charts,” Cyr
said. “Alcohol and marijuana
were mentioned and there are
a small percentage of kids who
say they are experimenting with
or use prescription drugs.”
WEEKLYNEWS.NET - 978-532-5880 3
Town taking next step on substance abuse
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
From page 1
The survey revealed 7.6 percent
of students seriously considered
suicide, 6 percent made
a plan, while 2 percent made
an attempt. Nearly 10 percent
said they have ever consumed
alcohol, 22 percent have used
marijuana, and 3.3 percent of
teens said they have used drugs
that were not prescribed for
them.
The work of the coalition is
focused on social and emotional
learning and to make sure
the students feel comfortable in
school and are getting the support
they need, Cyr said.
“Anxiety and depression can
lead to other issues down the
road,” Cry said.
He credited Selectman Phil
Crawford for the initiative.
“It’s very sad to see the kids
who grew up with my kids overdosing,
and several have passed
away over the last six years,” he
said. “It’s heartbreaking.”
The impetus to hire the substance
abuse prevention coordinator
is to implement programs
that will help students deal with
anxiety and depression; offer
professional development for
teachers on how to build relationship
with kids and how to
identify at-risk behavior; make
sure parents what know what
to look for; and work with the
school nurse, and support staff
such as adjustment and guidance
counselors.
“We are looking to bolster
our health curriculum and provide
education for teachers and
parents around that issue as
well,”he said. “It’s a full time
job to run a coalition as other
communities that do it will tell
you.”
The coordinator who will be
paid $75,000 annually, will also
be responsible for seeking the
$125,000 a year grant for the
next decade.
Lynnfield had two overdose
deaths each year in 2014, 2015,
and 2016, according to the
Massachusetts Department of
Public Health.
Last summer, Gov. Charlie
Baker signed legislation that
holds providers more accountable
for the painkiller prescriptions
they write.
Under the new law, hospitals
are required to admit a patient
battling opioid addiction into
an inpatient service or provide
a referral to an internal or
community-based treatment
program when the patient expresses
interest.
In 2016, Baker won bipartisan
support on Beacon Hill
for a first-in-the-nation law to
limit an opioid prescription to
a seven-day supply for a firsttime
adult prescription and the
same limit on opiate prescription
for minors. Other provisions
include a requirement
that information on opiate-use
and misuse be given at head
injury safety programs for high
school athletes, requirements
for doctors to check a database
before writing a prescription
for certain narcotics, and continuing
education requirements
for prescribers, ranging from
pain management training to
the risks of abuse and addiction
associated with opioid
medications.
The law won bipartisan support
in the Massachusetts House
and Senate.
Last year, Massachusetts was
one of only eight states where
opioid overdose deaths declined.
While supportive of the
governor’s efforts, health care
officials say there’s no evidence
that overdoses in general are
down or that fewer people are
struggling with addiction.
Material from the Associated
Press was used in this report.
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BRIEFS
Library closed
Fri. Nov 2.
The Lynnfield Public Library
will be closed on Friday, Nov. 2
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for staff
development. The library will
be open from 1-5 p.m. Our apologies
for any inconvenience
this may cause our patrons.
Flu clinic
for kids age 3+
Non-Lynnfield residents
welcome
Lynnfield Town Hall
55 Summer St.
Monday, Nov. 5
5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Please bring insurance cards,
$20 fee if insurance not accepted.
No allergies to eggs or
egg products.
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