Central MetroWest Substance Awareness & Prevention Collaborative
Uniting communities through connection and collaboration to prevent youth substance use and misuse, foster a culture of wellness, and ensure every young person has the support they need to thrive.
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of youth haven’t vaped or used alcohol in the last 30 days
%
of youth haven’t used cannabis in the last 30 days.
%
of students report having a supportive adult in their lives.
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Uniting Communities through Connection & Collaboration
Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, or youth looking for guidance, an educator seeking resources, or a community member eager to create change, CMSAPC brings seven communities together to build a healthier, united region.
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Support for parents, caregivers, and youth
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Educational resources for educators
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Community health and prevention programs
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Opportunities to lead local change
Explore Our Local Coalitions
Ashland
Hudson
Marlborough
Natick
Northborough
Southborough
Westborough
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Youth Substance Use Prevention Resources
Community Events
View our Events Calendar to stay informed about workshops, training sessions, and wellness activities happening across Central MetroWest.
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Cannabis affects areas of the brain related to learning, memory, coordination, and emotional processing. Because the adolescent brain is still wiring itself, exposure to cannabis before age 25 may interfere with development in ways that affect long-term health.
Some research has linked early and frequent cannabis use in youth to:
❗ Increased risk of anxiety and depression
❗ Difficulty with attention, memory, and academic performance
❗ Impaired decision-making
❗ Higher risk of addiction later in life
That’s why timing matters. Talking early allows adults to help young people build healthy decision-making skills before peer pressure, curiosity, or misinformation set in.
Many people assume that once a child becomes a teenager, their brain is nearly fully developed. But brain science tells a different story. The human brain continues to develop into the mid-20s, especially the parts responsible for decision-making, reasoning, emotional control, and long-term planning.
During adolescence, two major brain systems are growing and changing:
Limbic system 🧠
Controls: Emotions, rewards, motivation
Timeline:Develops rapidly in early adolescence
Prefrontal cortex 🧠
Controls: Judgment, planning, impulse control
Timeline: Still developing until around age 25
This mismatch in development explains a lot of common teen behavior: big emotional reactions, risk-taking, and feeling invincible.
The brain is built to explore and learn during this time, but it’s also more vulnerable to substances like cannabis.
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