Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree, Youth and Recreation Dept. Invite Public to Attend Youth Risk Behavior Prevention Meeting
(Saugus, MA) September 20, 2017 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Youth and Recreation Department invite all parents, educators, and interested residents to attend the Town of Saugus’ Biannual Youth Risk Behavior Prevention meeting aimed at identifying the ongoing challenges in addressing substance abuse and informing the community about available resources. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium, located at 298 Central Street, Saugus.
During the meeting key findings will be shared from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a national school-based survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designed to enable public health professionals, educators, policy makers, and researchers to describe the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among youth, assess trends in health-risk behaviors over time, and evaluate and improve health-related policies and programs. Attendees will get the chance to see how Saugus data results compare with previous Town studies, as well as the rest of the state and across the nation.
“This event is an opportunity for parents and educators to gain an in-depth understanding about the most pressing health concerns affecting our youth,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “Having access to quantitative data is critically important, and will serve as a blueprint in determining the types of resources that our youth and families truly need.”
Saugus Public Schools administered the YRBS to middle and high school students in the spring of 2017. This anonymous survey, which ensures that students’ privacy is protected while upholding parental permission protocols, assessed the following six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults:
- Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence;
- Sexual behaviors that contribute to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy;
- Tobacco use;
- Alcohol and other drug use;
- Unhealthy dietary behaviors; and
- Physical inactivity.
Saugus receives support to conduct the YRBS on a biannual basis through the Winnisimmet Regional Opioid Collaborative (WROC). The WROC was formed in 2013 when Saugus, Revere, Chelsea, and Winthrop came together to apply for the Massachusetts Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative (MOAPC) grant. The group was awarded the grant in 2014, initiating a seven-year contract that funds local and regional strategies that address the opioid epidemic.
All parents, educators, and interested members of the community are encouraged to attend this informative event, which will be held in the Saugus Town Hall Auditorium, 298 Central Street, on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at 6:30 p.m.
“The Youth Risk Behavior Survey assesses crucial behaviors that we as parents, leaders, and as a community need to be aware of and working together to minimize,” said School Committee Chair Jeannie Meredith, who will be a speaker at the event. “I hope everyone will come out so that we can help our kids navigate these issues.”
Greg Nickolas, Youth and Recreation Director and Town representative of WROC, will also be speaking at the event. Nickolas plans to discuss the exponential challenges that all communities across the state are facing.
“While these may be some tough discussions, I am looking forward to updating the community about the cutting-edge initiatives currently underway,” concluded Nickolas.
For more information, please contact the Youth and Recreation Department at 781-231-4022.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
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