Since its start in 2016, the Belchertown Overcoming Adversity Together (BOAT) Coalition has made a name for itself as a powerhouse for prevention and building community connections. What started as a taskforce addressing opioid misuse has grown into a well-rounded, youth-focused coalition grounded in public health, compassion, and evidence-based practices.
In 2019, BOAT applied for and received a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant, which marked a turning point for the coalition’s youth-focused prevention efforts. A year after receiving funding through the DFC grant, they brought on a program director and community engagement coordinator to lead the charge. The coalition then launched BUOY, Belchertown Understanding Obstacles in Youth, to act as the prevention arm of BOAT.
BOAT’s leadership, combined with its growing network of sector representatives, allowed the coalition to dramatically scale its efforts, growing from 18 members to over 80 and building partnerships with more than 100 non-profit organizations across the nation. In 2022, CADCA Master Trainer Dorothy Chaney led a Prevention 101 training that was highly successful, with members becoming increasingly active in their roles by participating in multiple events and serving as members on BOAT sub-committees. As a result of the training and evolution of the coalition, Program Director Kristen Hoag says, “We came to an understanding that we are more effective in our community as a unified team.” As such, they officially became Belchertown Overcoming Adversity Together, eliminating any distinction between BOAT and BUOY and signaling a unified front.
One of the challenges the coalition faces is overcoming the false perception that a small, suburban, somewhat affluent town like theirs has no problems with youth and adult substance use. Hoag states, “Stigma is rampant, in spite of how much education has been conducted to date.”
The coalition’s strength lies in its ability to meet the community where they are. Since 2021, BOAT has hosted resource tables at more than 150 events, distributed more than 500 prevention pamphlets annually, and increased their Facebook following by nearly 50 percent. Their annual Umbrella of Wellness Fair has grown as well, welcoming more than 60 organizations and over 450 attendees this past year. Senator Jake Oliveira and State Representative Aaron Saunders kicked off the event by performing the opening ceremony. Their Red Ribbon Week efforts now engage students across all K-12 schools, reaching more than 2,000 students with daily announcements, spirit week themes, and drug-free messaging.
Changing local policy is another area where BOAT has had an impact. The coalition received CADCA’s Blue Ribbon Award for reducing youth access to tobacco and nicotine products. As a result of BOAT’s advocacy efforts and collaboration with the Board of Health, the town increased fines for retailers who sell to minors, cut the number of tobacco licenses in half, and banned blunt wraps, synthetic cannabinoids, and Kratom. Belchertown also became the 11e town in the country to pass Nicotine Free Generation regulations, with youth coalition members testifying at the hearing and contributing to the policy’s passage.
The coalition even has data to back up their efforts. According to the 2023 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey that gathers data from Belchertown’s 8e, 10e, and 12e graders and data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services:
- Past 30-day alcohol use among 12e graders dropped to 38.3% (down from 49% in 2019)
- Marijuana use declined from 38% in 2019 to 28.4%
- E-cigarette use plummeted from 53.8% in 2019 to 23%
- Cigarette use decreased from 13.8% in 2019 to 5.4%
- Misuse of prescription stimulants dropped from 6% to 0.7%
These results reflect the coalition’s sustained efforts to reduce stigma and reduce access to harmful substances. While the numbers are promising, BOAT knows that their journey is far from over. Looking ahead, they plan on enhancing student leadership through initiatives like Helping Hands, broadening youth-led service projects, and ultimately, creating more opportunities for connection in their community.
As a coalition primarily driven by volunteers, BOAT is always open to new voices, ideas, and community support. To learn more or get involved, check out their Facebook page or reach out to Khoag@belchertownps.org.
