Substance Use Concerns

The CLOSE Community Coalition of Longmeadow is a community-wide effort to reduce youth substance use in Longmeadow. CLOSE Community works collaboratively with community stakeholders to identify, initiate, and sustain efforts promoting prevention, treatment and recovery. CLOSE Community is funded by the Drug Free Communities grant through 2027. This is a federal grant which will help to fund prevention efforts in Longmeadow focusing on alcohol, cannabis, nicotine and opioids.

This survey will help us to better understand where to focus our efforts in order to best address these issues as a community. All of your responses are completely ANONYMOUS.

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1. What are you most concerned about in relation to the potential consequences of teen use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription drugs? Please select up to 5 responses.

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2. LHS student use of all substances declined in 2020-21, as they did across the nation during quarantines and social distancing. Our 2022 data shows an DECREASE in all substances, except for oral nicotine pouches.

Click LHS Survey results for more information regarding mental health and substance use trends since 2016.

Please rank order the following strategies for preventing or addressing youth substance use that you would like to see in Longmeadow.

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3. Please describe any other suggestions you have for reducing youth substance use in Longmeadow.

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4. Fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 18-24 (facingfentanylnow.org). Please rank the following strategies for preventing accidental overdoses or fentanyl poisoning in Longmeadow.

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5. In 2022, 11% of LHS seniors reported having been the passenger in a car with an alcohol impaired driver within the past 12 months. 17% had been the passenger in a car with a cannabis impaired driver.

If you have suggestions for how to reduce this risky behavior among our teens, please describe them below.

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6. How much do you agree with the following statements?

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
I believe that adults who provide alcohol to teens should face legal consequences.
I believe that adults who provide marijuana to teens should face legal consequences.
I believe that adults who provide nicotine products ( vapes, pouches, cigarettes, etc.) to teens should face legal consequences.
I believe that retailers who sell marijuana or alcohol to underage patrons should face fines and/or legal consequences
I believe that retailers who sell cigarettes, vapes, or other nicotine products ( such as Zyns or other nicotine pouches) to underage patrons should face fines and/or legal consequences
I support the Select Board in enforcing Liquor License Violations in regards to underage sales to minors.
I support the Board of Health in enforcing Tobacco Regulations in regards to underage sales to minors.
I support the Longmeadow Police in enforcing underage marijuana use laws.
I support the Longmeadow Police in enforcing underage drinking laws.

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7. Currently, is any alcohol kept in your home stored securely to prevent youth access?

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8. Currently, are any cannabis products in your home stored securely to prevent youth access?

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9. In the past year, have you disposed of unused or expired medications in any of the following methods: (check all that apply)

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10. How confident are you in…

  Very Confident Confident Somewhat Confident Not Confident
Knowing where to go to get information in order to educate yourself on issues related to substance use disorders
Your ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of a family member experiencing a substance use disorder
Your ability to access professional help in the community if a family member was experiencing a substance use disorder
Your knowledge of resources available to support you if a family member was experiencing a substance use disorder

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11. Which of the following applies to you? (Select all that apply)

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12. Please indicate how frequently you do each of the following:

  Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never N/A
I make sure to meet the parents of my child's closest friends.
I do not allow my child to attend a party if parents will not be home to supervise.
When my child is planning to attend a party or social gathering with peers, I will contact parents to make sure there is adult supervision.
When my child is hosting a social gathering at my house, parents contact me to make sure that an adult will be home to supervise.

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13. Please indicate to what degree you agree/disagree with the following statements:

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree N/A
There are clear rules in my house about underage drinking.
I would be upset if another parent gave my teen alcohol.
If an adult in the community saw my teen at a party where alcohol was served, I would want that adult to call me to let me know.
I would like other parents to call me to be sure I will be home to supervise if their child is coming to my home for a party or social gathering.
In our household, we have family dinners with our teen(s) most nights of the week.

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14. During the past 12 months, have you or another parent/caregiver talked to your child(ren) about the dangers of:

  NO! no yes YES! N/A
a. underage drinking?
b. tobacco use?
c. using an electronic vapor product?
d. using nicotine pouches?
e. marijuana use?
f. using prescription drugs not prescribed to them?

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15. Do you allow your teen to drink in your home with you or other adults, even if it is a small glass of wine or beer with dinner (not including for religious purposes)?

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16. If you answered 'sometimes, often, or all the time' to the previous question, what is your primary reason?

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17. Do you allow your teen to stay home alone without adult supervision when you and/or other guardians are away, out of town for more than one day?

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18. How familiar are you with...

  Very familiar Somewhat familiar Unfamiliar
the work CLOSE Community is involved with in the Town of Longmeadow?
the Massachusetts Social Host Law (house party law) that makes it illegal for any adult to provide a place for minors to drink?

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19. Longmeadow is a very active and healthy community with lots of opportunities for guardians to gather at youth sporting events. Do you perceive any of the following customs to be problematic?

  Yes No Sometimes
Adult substance use ( alcohol, marijuana, or vaping) at Parks and Recreation athletic events for youth?
Adult substance use ( alcohol, marijuana, or vaping) at High School athletic events for youth?
Adult substance use ( alcohol, marijuana, or vaping) at away games over the weekends?
Adult substance use (i.e. Tailgating) before youth sporting events?

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20. Where do you access information for community events? Check all that apply.

Thank you for completing our survey!


Please contact us if you would like more information on CLOSE Community and our work or if you would like to get involved. Visit our website at CLOSEcommunity.org, email us at info@closecommunity.org or call us at (413) 318-4773.

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