Dedham Organization for Substance Awareness

09/18/2026

The Dedham Health Department is offering free naloxone training on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Ames Senior Center (1st floor of Town Hall) Community Room.

The training will teach participants how to recognize an opioid overdose, how to respond, and how to use naloxone. No appointment or registration is needed, training takes 10-15 minutes, so participants are encouraged to drop-in anytime during the event!

Everyone is welcome, whether you are attending for yourself, a friend, a loved one, or your community.
Free naloxone kits and resources will be available while supplies last.

For questions, please contact the Dedham Health Department at 781-751-9220

09/16/2026

Recovery Month Events continue with a FREE Community Film Screening of THC INC.

Join us on Wednesday, September 30 from 6PM to 8 PM at Dedham Middle School for an important documentary examining how the shift from cannabis prohibition to legalization is affecting young people.

🕠 Doors open at 5:30 PM, film starts at 6:00 PM, and light refreshments will be provided
🎟️FREE - register to attend using the link in our comment below

After the screening, we will have a Q&A with two speakers:
➡️Amy Turncliff, PhD (Rockfern Scientific, LLC neuroscientist and public health advocate focusing on cannabis education and policy)
➡️Dr. Laura Grubb (adolescent medicine specialist and pediatrician at Tufts Medical Center)

🎬About the Film:
THC INC explores youth exposure, marketing concerns, and the urgent need for public health policies that protect children while moving beyond criminalization.
- Directed by: Eric Burton, Jesse Russell
- Featuring: Kevin Sabet, Laura Bianchi, Leighton Woodhouse

This event is hosted is partnership with
Prevention Partners - MassCALL3

09/15/2026

‼️ Happening today, September 15th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Dedham Town Hall, COA Community Room.

Recovery is a journey, and no one should have to walk it alone. Join us for a community conversation and learn more about how recovery coaches support individuals and families!

Recovery coaches from Riverside Community Care will lead the conversation and share resources that connect individuals and families to recovery across seven communities: Dedham, Canton, Milton, Norwood, Westwood, Walpole, and Wellesley.

All are welcome!

07/27/2026

Join us for our next Coalition Meeting on July 29 from 6:00–7:30 PM.

We’ll be talking about:
• Metro West Adolescent Health Survey Highlights
• Our recent Parent Survey Highlights
• International Overdose Awareness Day Planning

Whether you’ve joined us before or are new, this is a great way to stay connected to your community, share your perspective, and help shape the work we do to keep Dedham healthy.

RSVP at dedhamcoalition.org

07/01/2026

When we reduce access to substances by locking them up and monitoring them in our home, we reinforce protections that help our kids thrive.

We’ve seen progress in reducing youth substance use over the years, and that didn’t happen by accident. We know what works. Let’s reinforce it together.

https://linktr.ee/preventionpartners

04/29/2026

04/25/2026

DOSA is now at Dedham’s Town Libraries every month!

Join us on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 3:30–5:30 PM for a space focused on connection, conversation, and community. We’ll be here for teens and parents alike, talking openly about substance use and decision-making, and creating a supportive environment where anyone can ask questions and share perspectives.

There will also be the occasional game, activity, and chances to win prizes—no pressure, just a welcoming space to show up as you are.

Stop by, bring a friend, and check it out.

04/22/2026

We’d love to have you join us for our next Coalition Meeting on April 29 from 6:00–7:30 PM.

We’ll be talking about:
• Va**ng in schools and building out a prevention-focused logic model
• A new Alternative to Suspension program
• Substance use trends around town, including local hotspots

Whether you’ve joined us before or are new, this is a great way to stay connected, share your perspective, and be part of the conversation.

RSVP at dedhamcoalition.org

04/22/2026

Art isn’t just creative—it’s protective.

Creative expression can act as a protective factor for mental health. It gives people a way to process emotions, reduce stress, build identity, and feel a sense of control—especially during times that feel uncertain or overwhelming.

One powerful form of this is zine-making.

Zines—small, self-published booklets—are all about self-expression. There are no rules, no expectations, and no “right” way to create one. They can hold stories, drawings, poetry, collages, thoughts, or questions. They can be shared widely or kept private. What matters is the process.

For young people especially, spaces that allow for authentic expression without judgment can build confidence, connection, and resilience. Zines offer exactly that: a low-pressure, accessible way to explore identity, voice experiences, and be heard.

Whether it’s through painting, music, writing, or zines—creative outlets matter. They support wellbeing in ways that are both personal and powerful.