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RCASA

Welcome to the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse website

We are a coalition of youth & adults living and working in Reading, MA who promote a safe, healthy, vibrant community in which everyone makes healthy decisions and ensures that today's resources shape tomorrow's strengths.

Get matched with a mental health services provider, call the INTERFACE REFERRAL HELPLINE 888-244-6843 (toll free). Available from Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm for Reading residents.
https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/reading

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RCASA will host its 13th Annual Meeting & Film Screening featuring the "The First Day" 
on 9/25/19 at Jordan's Sunbrella IMAX Theater in Reading, MA.

Learn more, view our Press Release

Sign up @ https://conta.cc/325UMXT

Spotlight

Thank you for coming to see RCASA - slides are under Presentations @ Community Education 

Interface Referral Service- Get connected to mental health services!
Interface Referral Service- Get connected to mental health services!

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Learn more about the service at Interface_Reading_and_What_to_Expect_When_You_Call.pdf
Is your teen using alcohol, marijuana or other drugs?
Is your teen using alcohol, marijuana or other drugs?

Wondering if your teen needs treatment?

HELP IS AVAILABLE

www.HelplineMA.org 

HOPE IS HERE.

800-327-5050

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 Youth and young adults services:

• Outpatient counseling

• Detox programs

• Residential programs

• Recovery high schools

• Medication-assisted treatment

 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health 

MA Department of Public Health

BSAS     Bureau of Substance Addiction Services

Prevent • Treat • Recover • For Life
Bring unwanted Rx to Reading Police 24/7 Dropbox
Bring unwanted Rx to Reading Police 24/7 Dropbox

Help reduce prescription drug misuse.

  • Dispose of your meds properly
  • Protect the environment
  • Store any remaining bottles safely & away from children/teens
Send an anonymous tip to Reading PD
Send an anonymous tip to Reading PD

How to Provide An Anonymous Tip

 

You can provide an anonymous tip to the Reading Police Department by texting the keyword READINGPD and a message to 847411 (tip411). Alternatively, you can click here and provide a tip through an anonymous online form. Provide as much information with as much detail as possible. The images above give a good example of what is required for a proper response. The anonymous tip service has been extremely effective since its debut in 2011.

Is it Really Anonymous?

 

Yes, please be assured that all tips are completely anonymous as they are pruned of all identifying information by Citizen Observer, a leading provider in anonymous tip services nationwide. Questions regarding how this pruning process works should be directed at the company directly by calling (888) 952-2200 or by visiting their website by clicking here.

https://www.readingma.gov/police-department/pages/provide-an-anonymous-tip
Do you know someone who could overdose from pain medication or heroin?
If so, ask a pharmacist today about getting Naloxone. Naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose from opioids. It could also save a life. It’s available in a few forms. It’s easy to use and training is available if you want it.
Carry Naloxone Save a Life Call 911
RCASA Newsletter Sign-up- Reading, MA
If you are interested in getting updates from RCASA, click the link below to sign up for e-newsletter and event announcements.
  About RCASA
  Board of Directors
  Community Education
  Consequences: School & Legal
  Data & Trends
  Faith Leaders
  Healthcare Providers
  Mental Health First Aid
  Need help?
  Parents & Families
  Partners in Prevention
  Teens

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RCASA- Town of Reading- Hiring Full Time Outreach Coordinator, to apply, click the link below. Posted on June 11, 2019.

https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=764
RCASA- Town of Reading- Hiring for Full-Time Outreach Coordinator- Reposted June 11, 2019
Learn more about the job posting. To apply, use the link below https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=764
https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=663
Jams for Jake
Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 12 PM – 6 PM Birch Meadow Dr Hosted by The BeatHeart Foundation
RPS Parent University is on Sat, 3/30/19 from 8am-12:30pm
Parent U will feature Shauna Tominey, Ph.D., Keynote Speaker on "Raising Healthy and Happy Children" plus workshops available for parents. RCASA will be on site to offer free resources and facilitate two workshops. Free childcare for gr. K-5, register@ https://www.reading.k12.ma.… Continue
Parent U will feature Shauna Tominey, Ph.D., Keynote Speaker on "Raising Healthy and Happy Children" plus workshops available for parents. RCASA will be on site to offer free resources and facilitate two workshops. Free childcare for gr. K-5, register@ https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/community/adult-and-community-education/
RCASA Director Visited Coolidge PTO for Vaping Prevention on 3/7/19
Coolidge parents turned out to learn more vaping prevention. Check out the presentation.
Reading Public Schools and the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse Featured in Report from National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development
Youth Mental Health First Aid Highlighted As a Best Practice
Julianne DeAngelis, RCASA Outreach Coordinator Retired
After 8 years of service, Julianne retired on Jan. 30. Learn more about her contributions.
Julianne's retirement
Reading Rotary Organization Honors RCASA
A special thank you to the Reading Rotary Organization for honoring Erica McNamara, RCASA Director as their 2018 Unsung Hero and Paul Harris Fellow. The $1,000 donation that accompanies the Paul Harris Fellow Award will be used for RCASA Prevention Projects.
READING TO PROVIDE PARENTS WITH TOOLS TO ADDRESS YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE
Seven cities and towns in the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition (MVPHC), including RCASA, are banding together to launch a social marketing campaign aimed at preventing underage drinking and substance use among middle school-aged youth. Learn more in our Press release.
Press Release RCASA and MVPHC Parent Campaign
BEAUTIFUL BOY Film: A Discussion Guide for Families
“Beautiful Boy” is a powerful, poignant and heartbreaking film, combining the memoirs of David Sheff and his son, Nic Sheff. A story of addiction told through the eyes of a father, a family’s struggle driven by fear, heartache, determination, hope and unconditional love. If you… Continue
“Beautiful Boy” is a powerful, poignant and heartbreaking film, combining the memoirs of David Sheff and his son, Nic Sheff. A story of addiction told through the eyes of a father, a family’s struggle driven by fear, heartache, determination, hope and unconditional love. If you see the film, check out this discussion guide to open conversations in your family.
RCASA 12th Annual Coalition Meeting On Sept 27, 2018
Thank you to everyone that participated in our annual coalition meeting. This event featured coalition highlights from the past year. Sherri VandenAkker, RCASA Board of Directors, delivered the keynote entitled “What I Wish I Knew: When Someone You Love Suffers From A Substance U… Continue
Thank you to everyone that participated in our annual coalition meeting. This event featured coalition highlights from the past year. Sherri VandenAkker, RCASA Board of Directors, delivered the keynote entitled “What I Wish I Knew: When Someone You Love Suffers From A Substance Use Disorder”.
Hidden in Plain Sight Attended by 80 Adults @ Reading Police Department
Thank you to all 80 adults who visited the Hidden in Plain Sight exhibit this September.The initiative uses an educational display of a teenager’s bedroom to test parents’ knowledge of common household items that can be substance abuse warning signs. The display was designed to e… Continue
Thank you to all 80 adults who visited the Hidden in Plain Sight exhibit this September.The initiative uses an educational display of a teenager’s bedroom to test parents’ knowledge of common household items that can be substance abuse warning signs. The display was designed to encourage honest and candid discussion of the topics of underage drinking and substance abuse. Tour guides were on hand to guide participants and answer questions. Special thanks to the Mission of Deeds, Burbank YMCA and Reading Police Department for their support.
Erica McNamara returns as RCASA Director
Erica McNamara resumed her full time role as the Director of RCASA on October 1. Thank you to everyone for their support!
RCASA Accepts National Recovery Month Award in Washington D.C.
A photo of Sherri VandenAkker, RCASA Board Member accepting the Reading Unites for Recovery National Recovery Month Award from Chideha M. Ohuoha, M.D., M.P.H., CAPT (USPHS), Director, SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the annual luncheon in Washington, D.C. on Septem… Continue
A photo of Sherri VandenAkker, RCASA Board Member accepting the Reading Unites for Recovery National Recovery Month Award from Chideha M. Ohuoha, M.D., M.P.H., CAPT (USPHS), Director, SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the annual luncheon in Washington, D.C. on September 6, 2018.
The Beat Heart Foundation Presents the 2nd Annual Jams for Jake
RCASA participated in the 2nd annual celebration of music and community on Sunday August 5th. More details on the event can be found at
http://jamsforjake.weebly.com
The New Look of Nicotine Addiction
The state just launched its new campaign to spread the word that high-tech vaping products are harmful, that they contain nicotine which can damage a teenager’s developing brain and lead to addiction.
Learn more
RCASA Accepts Donation from Rotary
Learn more about OPERATION OPIOID PREVENTION
Kudos to our RCASA/RMHS/SADD Student-Led Outreach Team
We had a team of students present at Parker today on Vaping Prevention. Leaders are Matt Segalla, Sarah Murphy, Molly Hamlin, Katie Kneeland, Autumn Hendrickson, & Mason Haynes. Special thanks to SRO Lewis for serving as a Co-Advisor on this pop-up activity.
April 20, 2018
CALLING RMHS Alumni- Participate in Dear 13 year old me
RCASA is accepting written submissions from Reading Public School teachers from grades 6-12, current high school students, and RMHS alumni on what they would tell their 13-year-old selves. The writing prompt is “Share a sentence or brief statement that address the struggles you m… Continue
RCASA is accepting written submissions from Reading Public School teachers from grades 6-12, current high school students, and RMHS alumni on what they would tell their 13-year-old selves. The writing prompt is “Share a sentence or brief statement that address the struggles you might have faced in middle school or message of hope, support or encouragement as if talking to your younger self… If you are interested, click below to participate
https://goo.gl/forms/3aEBDm4vqjedplvq1
March 19, 2018
Learn about prevention coalitions in Massachusetts
RCASA partners with many other coalitions in our region to share info, exchange resources, and co-host events. If you want to learn more about coalitions in other communities. There are coalitions that focus on a wide variety of health initiatives. Click the link below to searc… Continue
RCASA partners with many other coalitions in our region to share info, exchange resources, and co-host events. If you want to learn more about coalitions in other communities. There are coalitions that focus on a wide variety of health initiatives. Click the link below to search by region and community.
Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse  15 Union Street  Reading, MA 01867
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