Pittsfield Public Schools

The PPP aims to work with youth in the city to reduce substance use among 8th, 10th and 12th graders. Studies show that 40% of teens who start drinking at age 15 will become alcoholics later in life. The PPP works to delay the age of first use of alcohol and other drugs and since 2006 has seen the 8th grade 30-day alcohol use decline by 50%. Abegaz will lead the PPP coalition of community members that have come together to create a healthy environment for positive youth development by reducing and preventing youth substance use. To guide its work, the PPP uses data gathered from middle and high school students that measure their use of substances, as well as the risk factors leading to use and protective factors that inhibit use. The PPP has set a goal of reducing the 8th grade alcohol-use rate by another 10 percent by 2017.