Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Results from the Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton (OASIS) 2013 Stoughton Youth Survey, which collected data about alcohol and drug usage rates among high school and middle school students in Stoughton.
A whopping 83-percent of Stoughton High School students are currently using marijuana. Well, at least that's what the students perceive. In actuality, the current marijuana use rate (having used over the last 30 days) is much lower - 21.5-percent, according to a survey run by the OASIS group (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton). Statewide, that number is 28-percent, and country-wide it is 23-percent. In the last OASIS survey, conducted in 2011, 28-percent of Stoughton students admitted to using marijuana over the past 30-days. The 21.5-percent is the lowest rate since the 2008 survey (19-percent). Lifetime usage rate for marijuana is also down, with 37-percent of SHS students having tried marijuana, vs. 42-percent in the 2011 …
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
OASIS on the MOVE: The Stoughton Police report that a large number of items have been dropped off at the Prescription Drug Disposal kiosk at the police station which cannot be accepted. Here's a reminder of what can be dropped off at this kiosk.
- OPINION
-
Wednesday, February 20
The following is from the OASIS group (Organizing Against Substances In Stoughton): The Prescription Drug Disposal kiosk at the Stoughton Police station has been getting a lot of use lately. This is great news - the more you use the drop box to dispose of unused and unwanted prescription medication, the less chance there is for those drugs to be misused. The kiosk is available in the lobby of the Police Station 24/7 for the disposal of medication, no questions asked. However, as the box is getting more use, OASIS and the Police Department want to remind people about the kinds of things that CAN and CANNOT be disposed of in the kiosk. Please dispose of your: Please DO NOT dispose of the following: If you do have needles / sharps, you can …
Friday, December 21, 2012
Tips for making this holiday season a safe one. Holidays can be risky for teens when it comes to alcohol and other drugs.
- OPINION
-
Friday, December 21, 2012
The following is written by Stephanie Patton, Organizing Against Substances In Stoughton (OASIS) Coordinator: The holidays can be risky for teens when it comes to alcohol and other drugs. This is a time of year when there are lots of celebrations, many that involve alcohol. In a 2010 study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, statistics from New Year’s Day in 2009 demonstrated this fact. On that day, the number of minors that ended up in the emergency room because of drinking was almost four times the average daily figure. Here are a few tips from the Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton (OASIS) coalition to help keep your holidays happy and healthy. For more information and tips on talking to your teen …
The Stoughton Police Department conducted a "Shoulder Tap" operation Thursday night, where underage volunteers asked adults to purchase alcohol for them. 92.8-percent of attempts were declined - encouraging, but still a lower rate than in past years.
The Stoughton Police Department, partnering with OASIS (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton) conducted a "shoulder tap" operation Thursday evening, where underage volunteers were stationed outside of liquor stores in town asking adults to buy them alcohol, according to a SPD release. The overwhelming majority of adults refused. According to the release, 110 people were approached, with 102 refusing - a 92.8-percent success rate. The eight who agreed were not arrested; that wasn't the purpose of the operation, Executive Officer Robert Devine said. No alcohol was ever purchased for a minor, Devine said. If the adult agreed, he or she was met by an undercover Stoughton Police officer and handed a "Yes" card and had the consequences of …
Friday, December 7, 2012
The prescription drug take-back was run by OASIS in October. This year's collection was almost double what was collected at the 2011 take-back event.
OASIS (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton) announced that nearly $20,000 in controlled substances were collected at its recent prescription drug take-back event, which was held Oct. 20 at the O'Donnell Middle School parking lot in conjunction with Hazardous Waste Day. It was an opportunity for Stoughton residents to clean out any old, unused medication in their medicine cabinets and dispose of it in a safe way. All controlled substances collected went to the police station and were incinerated, Stephanie Patton, OASIS Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, said. Patton said no questions were asked and that any identifying information was eliminated from the prescriptions turned in. Prescription drugs collected ran from A to Z - …
Monday, November 26, 2012
OASIS ON THE MOVE: OASIS (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton) responds to the passing of medical marijuana (Question 3) in Massachusetts in November's Presidential Election.
- OPINION
-
Monday, November 26, 2012
EDITOR'S NOTE: The medical marijuana ballot initiative (Question 3) passed statewide in this November’s Presidential Election, with 63 percent of Massachusetts voters supporting it. Only two communities statewide - Mendon and Lawrence - voted against Question 3. Stoughton voters favored it 60% to 40%. “This proposed law would eliminate state criminal and civil penalties for the medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients,” according to the Secretary of State’s website. “It allows patients meeting certain conditions to obtain marijuana produced and distributed by new state-regulated centers or, in specific hardship cases, to grow marijuana for their own use.” “The proposed law would allow for [up to 35] non-profit medical marijuana …
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Celebrate the American Cancer Society's 37th Annual Great American Smokeout by planning or encouraging others to quit smoking.
- OPINION
-
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Editor's Note: The following is submitted to Stoughton Patch by OASIS. OASIS (Organizing Against Substances In Stoughton) partners with a diverse group of people and agencies that offer various support for: families, education in schools, policy development and after-school programs. *** Thursday, November 16, marked the American Cancer Society’s 37th Great American Smokeout. The annual event raises awareness around the harms of tobacco use and encourages users to quit, for at least one day, with the hope that they will plan to quit for good. Quitting smoking improves your health, no matter how long you have smoked. Quitting tobacco can be hard, but there are ways to make it easier. If you’re thinking about quitting, here are some ways to …
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Stoughton's Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton (OASIS) Coalition has announced its opposition to Question 3, which would eliminate state criminal and civil penalties for the medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients.
- OPINION
-
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Editor's Note: Massachusetts voters will be asked to vote for or against three ballot measures (questions) this election cycle. The Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton (OASIS) Coalition has announced its opposition to Question 3: Medical Use of Marijuana. This proposed law would eliminate state criminal and civil penalties for the medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients. The following is the OASIS position paper explaining its stance. A PDF version which includes footnote citations is posted in the media gallery of this article. Read more about question 3, including arguments for and against, by clicking here. *** The OASIS coalition is opposed to Question 3. As a community coalition working to prevent youth substance abuse…
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
“Persistent [marijuana] use was associated with neuropsychological decline broadly across domains of functioning,” according to a recent Duke University study.
- OPINION
-
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Editor's Note: The following is written by Dan Tarlin, a clinical social worker and Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor at Westwood Lodge Hospital, where he directs the Partial Hospital Programs for children, adolescents, and adults. He has been working in the field for over twenty years and is a charter member of OASIS. OASIS (Organizing Against Substances In Stoughton) partners with a diverse group of people and agencies that offer various support for: families, education in schools, policy development and after-school programs. *** A Duke University study on the impact of marijuana use was published recently (click here for the study) and it concludes that regular use of the drug is harmful to cognitive abilities. The abstract of the …
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Five Things You Need to Know Today: Marijuana Presentation - What Every Parent Should Know; What's the Chance of a Big Earthquake in New England?; Grocery Deals on Stoughton Patch; and more...
"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. 1. Marijuana: What Every Parent Should Know Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the O'Donnell Middle School media center, OASIS (Organizing Against Substances In Stoughton) is collaborating with the Stoughton Public Schools Parent Engagement Coordinators to provide a marijuana education event for parents (and anyone else from the community). Dr. Kevin Hill from McLean Hospital will be presenting on youth marijuana addiction and the Stoughton Police Department will be talking about marijuana, youth and the law. Stephanie Patton of OASIS will also be presenting. Can't make it Wednesday evening? A similar …
Longtime Resident
9:51 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wouldn't it make more sense to combine the presciption disposal/sharps disposal to one location? It would make it easier for those who have trouble getting around to dispose of their stuff safely. more ›