Walpole Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Awareness

There is an active coalition in town. We have a great purpose and lots of energetic people already on the committee, but we still need you!

Parents, Students, School Administration, Churches, Recreation, Police, Health and many others from our community have come together to tackle a huge problem-underage drinking. It is not just a Walpole problem, but the problem is very apparent in Walpole. The Walpole Coalition for Alcohol Awareness’ mission is to strive to reduce substance abuse and delay the onset of alcohol consumption among Walpole youth. So a bunch of people have been meeting, first to discuss the problem and second to find solutions to make our community healthier. In the past, we have brought in speakers for students and parents, and have worked on bringing activities to our youth in Walpole.

We now know that drinking alcohol affects an adolescent brain very differently than an adult brain. So the Walpole Coalition for Alcohol Awareness has some suggestions to help curb “underage drinking in Walpole.”

• Refuse to purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21.
• Refuse to provide alcohol or allow individuals under 21 to consume alcohol in your home or on your property.
• Parents can model responsible alcohol practices around your children.
• Parents should start talking to their children about alcohol before they start drinking.
• Walpole area retailers that sell alcohol must make sure they check ids.
• Our community should eliminate or limit alcohol sponsorship at family-oriented events.
• Our community needs to provide and support alcohol-free alternatives for our youth.
• Our community needs to provide education to families and our youth about the effects of underage drinking.

For more information or to join the Coalition, contact the Board of Health at (508)660-7321. You may also e-mail Robin Chapell, Health Director.