Marijuana, Alcohol Use Down Among Stoughton Students, According to OASIS Survey

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 …

• Photos (4)

Teen-Parent Relationship Expert to Give Advice to Stoughton Parents

Joani Geltman is coming to the O’Donnell Middle School Thursday evening, Feb. 28 for a talk titled “Adolescent Psychology: The Parent Version.”

The following is a press release: “How can my child talk to me that way?” wonder parents of teenagers.  A child who was once well-behaved becomes disrespectful and full of attitude, and the parents end up feeling angry, frustrated, and helpless.   According to Joani Geltman, an expert in teen-parent relationships, this is one of the most common causes of discord in households with teens. “Parents need to understand that their kids are not doing these things to them in a personal way. Teenagers are simply missing the ‘edit’ button. The disrespectful behavior is developmental, and once parents understand this and can stop feeling hurt, they can take a step back and implement some strategies to help curb the behavior,” Geltman said. Geltman  …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Stephanie Patton

1:50 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013

This is going to be a really great event full of useful tips for parents of teens or pre-teens. Don't miss it!   more ›

OASIS on the Move

Stoughton’s Prescription Drug Disposal Kiosk: What Can (And Cannot) be Disposed of?

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.

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 …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Alcohol Consumption Among Stoughton Teens Down, But Marijuana Use on the Rise

The Stoughton Schools, the Stoughton Police and OASIS recently partnered to present a Family Drug Awareness Night, which shared eye-opening data on teenage drug use and offered tips on how to talk to children about substance abuse.

Stoughton Public Schools Parent Engagement Coordinators, Maryann Dawson and Shaunte Thomas, partnered with Stoughton’s Police Department and the OASIS Coalition (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton) to present a Family Drug Awareness Night on Jan. 10. A crowd gathered in the O’Donnell Middle School Media Center eager to learn about today’s drug and alcohol trends and more importantly, how to talk to children about substance abuse. “Talk Early, Talk Often” was the common theme stressed by all of the evening’s presenters.  OASIS’ Substance Abuse Coordinator, Stephanie Patton shared statistical data that showed while Stoughton teenage alcohol use has gone down by approximately five percent, its marijuana use has risen almost 10 percent…

•  5 Comments
• Photos (3)
• Documents (1)

Dwight Mac Kerron

8:53 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013

Since this appears to be self-reporting and there is such a gap between perceived use and "actual" use, it is difficult to know exactly what you can tell from these numbers.   more ›

OASIS on the Move

Tips for a Safe Holiday Season from Stoughton's OASIS Coalition

Tips for making this holiday season a safe one. Holidays can be risky for teens when it comes to alcohol and other drugs.

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 …

• Photos (1)

Nearly $20K of Prescription Drugs Collected at Stoughton's Take-Back Day

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 - …

• Photos (2)

OASIS on the Move

Medical Marijuana is Coming to Stoughton (And Massachusetts)...Now What?

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.

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 …

•  11 Comments
• Photos (1)

OASIS on the Move

OASIS on the Move: Take Part in The Great American Smokeout

Celebrate the American Cancer Society's 37th Annual Great American Smokeout by planning or encouraging others to quit smoking.

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 …

• Photos (1)

Stoughton's OASIS Coalition Opposes Medical Use of Marijuana Ballot Question

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.

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…

•  8 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)