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Youth coalition recognized at State House for work in local community

HOP Youth coalition members won an award during The 84 Movement’s Youth Day of Action at the State House on March 18 for their efforts in addressing nicotine prevention and mental health in Hopkinton. PHOTO/GRETCHEN ERTL

A group of Hopkinton students earned recognition at the State House last week for the teens’ efforts on nicotine prevention and mental health promotion among local youth.

HOP Youth took home the Upstream Prevention Award during ENUFF Day at the Massachusetts State House on March 18. ENUFF is a “national day of education and advocacy around tobacco, vape and nicotine prevention” and is run by The 84 Movement, an organization focused on make an impact fighting tobacco in their communities.

HOP Youth operates as a chapter of The 84 Movement and also is associated with Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP).

According to Erin Bartolini, HOP’s drug free community prevention coordinator, the coalition was recognized for its efforts in addressing youth nicotine use in Hopkinton and its ongoing focus on addressing mental health in the school system.

Initiatives HOP Youth has worked on include a vaping prevention program at Hopkinton Middle School and implementing The Green Bandana Project for peer-based suicide prevention. By putting green bandanas on their backpacks and offering resources for kids who are struggling with mental health, the coalition members hope to “get youth comfortable with asking for support,” Bartolini said.

One major project HOP Youth took on was advocating for the implementation of Nicotine-Free Generation (NFG) regulations. Bartolini said the students launched a letter-writing campaign, made signs and spoke in favor of the policy during a Board of Health hearing last May.

The board unanimously approved the NFG regulations following that public hearing. They prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to any individual born after Jan. 1, 2005.

“A lot of Board of Health members talked about how influential their voice was in implementing that policy,” Bartolini noted.

Bartolini added that much of HOP Youth’s began with members who since have graduated. New youth leaders are continuing that work and expanding on it, she noted.

“They’re really impressive,” Bartolini said of the students. “It was an honor to watch them get this award.”

HOP Youth plans to continue sustaining its current efforts and keep focused on the mental health side of substance abuse. Bartolini said the group has plans for some activities in May as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Community Preservation Committee on Thursday reviewed professional estimates for the Center School reuse project that puts demolition and renovation costs $6.6 million above an early estimate of $10 million.

The latest Schools Notebook highlights the recent accomplishments of local collegians.

Town meetings tonight include the Appropriation Committee (5), Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board (6) and Planning Board (7).

Photo of the Day

Local firefighters pose for a picture at last Sunday’s Battle of the Badges Dodgeball Tournament at Hopkinton High School. The event is a fundraiser for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center.

PHOTO/HOPKINTON FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 3772