B.O.L.D. Coalition Receives 5-Year Grant

The BOLD Coalition (Building Our Lives Drug Free) was awarded a $125,000 Drug Free Communities Support Program FY 2009 grant by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Coalition serves Fall River, Somerset, Swansea and Westport. As requirements are met, the Coalition will receive $125,000 for five consecutive years to continue their work.

Tom Pasternak, BOLD Coalition Chairperson, was very happy to hear the news. “BOLD has accomplished so much—increasing awareness of substance abuse and how to prevent it, supporting compliance checks for tobacco and alcohol sales; leading the removal of drug paraphernalia from our stores in partnership with South Coast Tobacco Control and the Fall River Police, starting a SADD chapter at Henry Lord Middle School, co-sponsoring debates for elected officials, working with the District Attorney to crack down on underage drinking; and sponsoring the prescription drug take back—but there is so much more to do. We have huge problems with people abusing alcohol and drugs, and it will take a long-term community effort to turn the tide.”

The mission of BOLD is to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug abuse among youth by collaborating with the community to initiate policy change, raise awareness, modify social norms, education youth and adults, and promote healthy activities.

Nancy Paull, CEO of SSTAR which is the fiscal agent for BOLD, stated that “I am very pleased that our community has been awarded this prevention grant at a time when prevention services are needed more than ever. I believe it will have a positive impact on the quality of life for all Fall River residents and everyone in the area who is concerned about the growing epidemic of drug use in our community.” Communications Director for BOLD, Kim Rodrigues, emphasized that youth use of substances is unacceptably high though we have seen a decrease in tobacco use. “Our number one problem is alcohol and our number two problem is marijuana. We must double our efforts to decrease youth use of these substances, and continue our efforts to decrease youth tobacco use. All members of our community can play a role in increasing the number of youth choosing to build their lives drug-free by educating themselves on the most effective ways to do this. Watch for BOLD events and publications where you can learn more about how you can play an effective role.”

Barbara Lamonde and Karin Wood, who are coordinating BOLD’s outreach to parents, both emphasized that adults, especially parents, have the power to prevent youth from using substances by 1) setting clear rules against use and talking about the harm these substances cause, and 2) monitoring children-who they are with, where they are, and what they are doing, including social media. Barbara said, “It takes all of us, not only parents, to create a healthy community for the youth of Greater Fall River.” The Coalition will collaborate with its partners to achieve its goals by implementing these primary strategies (as well as others):

1. Increase and strengthen community norms against underage use, particularly for alcohol and marijuana (increasing perception of risk/harm related to use);
2. Reduce access to underage use of all substances through enforcement of laws and policies aimed at retailers and alcohol social host laws aimed at parents and other adults; and
3. Promote teen empowerment and increase youth participation in alternative activities by supporting access as well as providing activities.

To meet the requirements of this grant over the next five years, BOLD needs the support of the community in the form of volunteer services and matching funding equal to $125,000 this year, $156,000 in the 2nd and 3rd year, and $187,000 in the final two years. BOLD is pleased that the community has pulled together in partnership and contributed $500,000 mostly in volunteer services to meet our obligation for matching funds for our last five years of funding. We welcome community contributions as we continue our work together, to create a health community for the youth of greater Fall River. To find out how you can help contact: BOLD’s Director Karen Fischer at kfischer@sstar.org or 508-324-3537.