At its Feb. 5 meeting, Marblehead’s Board of Health focused on education and closer coordination with schools and local officials to address social hosting, after a new community survey found overwhelming concern about teen substance use.
Chair Dr. Thomas Massaro presented results from a recent survey completed by 15% of town residents. An average of 86% of participants across all age groups reported moderate or high concern about teen substance use.
In response to the findings — which were submitted before social hosting became a major public issue — Massaro said the board’s role will focus on prevention and education.
“It’s too important for us not to try every way we can to get the largest number of people committed to what we all agree on,” he said.
The board contracted a team from UMass Boston, led by Dr. Caitlin Coyle, to design and process the survey as part of its Create A Healthier Marblehead initiative.
The board plans to use the data to guide decisions about needed programs and to document and measure their effectiveness. In addition to teen substance use, respondents identified bullying in schools and loneliness among older residents as major concerns.
Given the town’s budget constraints, Massaro said CAHM will need to build solutions that are “least expensive.”
Members emphasized the importance of engaging young residents, noting that fewer than 2% of people ages 18 to 30 responded to the survey. Board member Dr. Amanda Ritvo suggested reaching them through social media platforms.
Another member, Tom McMahon, proposed giving voice to people with personal experiences related to underage drinking. He said he had contacted individuals willing to share their stories, possibly in writing.
Next, Coyle will convene age-based focus groups to collect qualitative data on community priorities. The board will recommend participants, with Coyle making final selections.
Sessions will last 90 to 120 minutes. Information collected will be anonymous, and primary data will remain confidential. Interested residents should contact the Board of Health.
A failure to communicate?
After viewing a video released nine months ago by District Attorney Paul F. Tucker addressing social hosting liability, Massaro questioned whether it had been shared with the community or shown in schools.
After contacting Superintendent John Robidoux and Marblehead High School Principal Michele L. Carlson, Massaro learned neither had been aware of the video.
In the video, Tucker states that “if someone, an adult or a juvenile, provides, procures or serves alcohol or allows alcohol to be served on premises of their control, there is criminal and civil liability… We’ve seen too many cases where somebody uses alcohol in what they think is a controlled environment, and either have some type of injury, an accident, sometimes fatal, or they leave the party, and make a fateful and terrible decision to drive.”
Massaro said there has been a “failure to communicate” among officials who could help address social hosting and underage substance use.
To address the gap, Massaro said he spoke with Tucker and Police Chief Dennis King and remains optimistic they are “moving toward a better place” than where they began. King agreed to invite board members to future meetings with Tucker.
McMahon said it is necessary to include King and Tucker in future discussions to “deal with the facts.” He also urged law enforcement to engage directly with parents whose homes are frequently used for social hosting.
“That would go a long way. I bet it would never happen again…I don’t know where the line is where we take this seriously,” McMahon said.
Transfer Station news
The board approved McMahon’s proposal allowing Marblehead employees who live outside town to purchase a sticker at full price for beach access and use of the lower level of the Transfer Station.
McMahon said the program could serve as a “perk” for employees while generating revenue to help ease budget pressures.
With the town’s 10-year trash contract nearing its end, Director of Public Health Andrew Petty said automation and workforce reductions represent the “cheapest way to go” amid financial challenges.
Petty proposed replacing the second worker on garbage trucks with automated vehicles equipped with mechanical arms. The plan would also provide households with 65-gallon trash and recycling bins featuring personalized QR codes.
Petty is still deciding between three trash contractors moving forward. The new contract is expected to increase by about $1 million a year.
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