HOP youth members (from left) Anna Noroian, Neha Ninan and Maura Souza attended a national forum earlier this month.

Three youth members of Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Youth Leadership Forum in National Harbor, Maryland, earlier this month.

Hopkinton High School senior Maura Souza and sophomores Neha Ninan and Anna Noroian attended the four-day summit, which offered interactive training sessions specifically for young coalition leaders who are looking to be more engaged in their coalitions and communities. Experts from the field and other youth leaders trained youths from across the nation on personal and professional prevention development skills.

The HHS students also had the opportunity to meet and speak with U.S. Sen. Edward Markey and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern. The students talked with the Massachusetts politicians about current trends and concerns surrounding mental health and substance use in the community.