WASA was organized in 1986-1987 in response to concerns about substance abuse problems, both locally and globally.  The ongoing goal of the organization is to educate all members of the Westford community about substance abuse.  A long range goal is to assure that programs are in place which will aid in the prevention and treatment of all forms of substance abuse in the community of Westford.  A Board of Directors, made up of a cross section of the Westford community, manages the affairs of the group.

Last Night Celebration – Friday  June 7, 2013

• What another GREAT and SUCCESSFUL “Last Night”! Thank You to everyone who volunteered to make this possible, your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed! Being their from start to finish, it looks like they had a BLAST. It’s never to early to start volunteering for next year! 
• Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers this year in making our 24th Last Night a success!
• A special shout out to our financial sponsors and other sponsors who kept everyone feed last night.

Congrats to the class of 2013!

WASA Scholarship Awards at Both Westford Academy and Nashoba Tech for 2013

•  Congrats to Nashoba Tech Senior Briana Lumbert on receiving the 2013 WASA Scholarship Award. She will be going on to Plymouth State University studying Physical Therapy! 

• Congrats to Casey O’Connor from Westford Academy for earning this years WASA Scholarship Award!

If you missed the talk by Chris Herren here is a link which he spoke of in his talk at WA on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013.

This is a short version of his talk at WA.

The Game Has Changed: Chris Herren at TEDx** UMassAmherst

www.youtube.com – click  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAZ9aL30qOI

Former Celtics player and ESPN “30 for 30″ speaker. He has suffered substance abuse throughout his career, but has refocused his life to put sobriety and family above all else. He founded “The Herren Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance to families affected by addiction. In 2012 The Herren Project launched a national anti-substance abuse campaign, Project Purple, to encourage people of all ages to stand up to substance abuse and being themselves.

**In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.

•  Mark your Calendar for the Chris Herron Talk at Westford Academy Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, May 28, 2013  starting at 6:30pm.

  • Open to all, especially parents,  teachers/administration, students – middle school – college.

•  WASA Italian Dinner & Westford’s “Got Talent ” Show – Thursday, May 16th  – see details under banner.

• HELP IS NEEDED WITH THE WESTFORD ACADEMY LAST NIGHT…….  

Last Night Event, Friday June 7th – Every year on graduation night, a group of almost 300 volunteers hosts the senior class at WA for a substance free all night event. That is almost a 1 to 1 ratio of volunteers to students to pull the night off! The night is hugely successful, but we are still short a large number of volunteers. Since we need to have all our volunteers cori’d by April 1st, we need to recruit early. Even if you aren’t positive you will be available, let us know, take care of your cori and we can confirm up as the date draws near. The time to volunteer is before your child is a senior. We need your help to continue. It is not too early for middle school parents to help out!

•  Last Night Chair – We need a couple of people to shadow to take over this amazing event. Contact Leslie Doherty for more information at walastnight@yahoo.com
•  Decorating – Takes over 60 people to transform the school in about 6 hours. Can you help for a 2-3 hour shift after school on June 7th? We also need a couple of shadows to help co-chair our group.
•  Hall Games – Work the event in this fast paced area from 9:15pm to 2:30am. It is a ton of fun!
•  Clean-up – We need a group of early risers from 5:30 to 8:30am on Saturday morning June 8th to break down and pack away all our decorations.
• Contact Laurel Mooney at mattandlaurie@yahoo.com if you can volunteer for decorating, hall games or clean-up or if you have questions.
•  Casino – Volunteers needed to help with Texas Hold ‘em, roulette, craps, and blackjack. If interested, please email Jonathan Doherty at walncasino@gmail.com.
•  Registration – Can you help check in the kids as they arrive? Short time commitment, 9:30 to 11:30pm. Lots of fun, the smiles that the graduates have when they arrive are contagious! Contact Theresa Loftus, loftus333@verizon.net
•  Live Entertainment – Are you familiar with the PCA? 2 volunteers needed to shadow for this year and take over for next year. You get to enjoy 2 world-class entertainers as they perform for the kids.

Contact our Over All Volunteer Coordinator Todd Westerhoff at twester@prospeed.net if interested in Live Entertainment or any other group or with any questions.

•  2012 YOUTH RISK SURVEY RESULTS BELOW…..

http://westfordk12.us/pages/Curric/subjectsfolder/healthed/yrbs-downloads/2012YouthRiskSurvey.pdf

 Red Flags and Resources Guide

Westford Against Substance Abuse (WASA) co-published the Red Flags and Resources Guide with other area town coalitions in June 2005 Red Flags and Resources is a prevention guide for parents, teens and other adult care givers.

If you have any questions regarding the guide please call Ray Peachey 978-399-2528 or email: rpeachey@westfordma.gov.

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New Nashoba Ski Area Ornament Fundrasier 2012 

This ornament is a beautiful gold plated brass replica of the Nashoba Ski Area. It is packaged in an attractive box. This is the sixth ornament of a collectible line that WASA is creating with a new ornament produced each year. These will be sold on a first come basis and will not be reissued, so be sure to buy it soon! These make great teacher and family gifts. It will be on sale at the beginning of November at the Health Department, Roudenbush and Nashoba Ski Area. Cost is $20.00 and is tax deductible. WASA also has Collage, Town Hall, Kimball Farm, Westford Academy and J.V. Fletcher Library ornaments still available.  If you would like to reserve a new ornament or for additional information call Ray Peachey at 978-399-2528

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WESTFORD PARENT CONNECTION - http://westford.com/wpc/   Check out all the presentations for 2012 – 2013.