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December 17, 2024
  Protecting Youth Through Policy Approaches in Belchertown
          At a glance
          Belchertown's coalition staff demonstrate the power of engaging policymakers to limit access to synthetic cannabinoids and Kratom to protect young people.
        Belchertown Overcoming Adversity Together Coalition
        The Belchertown Overcoming Adversity Together (BOAT) coalition—the local Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program in Belchertown, Massachusetts—worked diligently from September 2023 to January 2024 to educate decision-makers about the health risks posed by products containing delta-8, delta-10, and Kratom.
        During the summer of 2023, BOAT Program Director, Kris Hoag visited and inspected 11 businesses in Belchertown with tobacco sales licenses to ensure they displayed signage required by state tobacco laws and regulations. During the inspection, they learned that one store was selling Kratom, delta-8, and delta-10 products. This was brought to the attention of the Belchertown Director of Public Health, Andrea Crete, the BOAT's State and Local Agency Sector Representative. BOAT coalition staff spent the next three months researching these products and attending monthly Board of Health meetings to educate board members on the science, including health risks, of synthetic cannabinoids and Kratom.
        Andrea connected with the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards for guidance and expertise on delta-8, delta-10, other synthetic cannabinoids, and Kratom. The Massachusetts Association of Health Boards shared a draft model of synthetic cannabinoid legislation based on the law approved in Beverly, Massachusetts. In September 2023, Kris and Andrea presented their findings to the local Board of Health, demonstrating the health risk these dangerous substances and support for removing them from store shelves. Belchertown residents were also supportive of approaches to remove delta-8, delta-10, and synthetic cannabinoids.
        The 11 businesses with tobacco sales licenses that were part of the original investigation were invited to Board of Health meetings, and the BOAT coalition developed positive relationships with all of them. Coalition staff discussed the risks and dangers of these products and distributed educational materials to the staff of these businesses.
          Testimonial
              "This success offers sustainable, community-based improvements to the town where the youth can thrive in a safer, healthy, and drug-free community." — Kris Hoag, BOAT Program Director.
        On January 10, 2024, the Board of Health met and voted to ban these products, as they were deemed a public health risk and potentially fatal. Belchertown became the first municipality in Massachusetts to pass legislation to restrict and regulate Kratom, decreasing the associated risks by limiting access to the substance. The new policy prohibits the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of synthetically derived cannabinoids, delta-8, delta-10, and Kratom in the community.
        Once the ban was put in place, businesses were provided with copies of the updated regulations. All products were removed from the shelves by February 15, 2024. Kris and Andrea performed follow-up inspections of local businesses in the spring of 2024 and found no banned products on the shelves.
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  December 17, 2024
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      Related PagesDrug-Free Communities (DFC)
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        * Drug-Free Communities (DFC)
        * Apply for DFC Funding
        * Addressing Substance Use in Dallas County
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        * Life Skills Training for Youth with an Incarcerated Parent
        * Culture as Prevention: Cherokee Nation
    * 
        * Students Lead Prevention Activities in Georgia
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