Dedham Organization for Substance Awareness

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.

04/21/2026

The Dedham Police Department will once again participate in the DEA National Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday April 25, 2026.

Unused or expired medications may be disposed of in the parking lot area of the Dedham Police Department located at 26 Bryant Street between 10 am – 1 pm on Saturday April 25, 2026. An officer will be present to accept the medications.

Why are the Dedham Police participating in this program?

- Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue which can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse.
- Pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision.
- The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends, and the home medicine cabinet.
- Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold.
- Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
- Take-back programs are the best way to dispose of old drugs. The Dedham Police accept unused and expired drugs in the public lobby of the Police Station 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

- For more information on prescription drug abuse go to:
o www.dea.gov
o www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com
o www.justthinktwice.com

We encourage all to do some spring cleaning. Check your medicine cabinets for unused and expired medications. Bring them to the Dedham Police Station on Saturday April 25, 2026, between 10 am – 1 pm for safe disposal.