Impact Norwood tells selectmen youth vaping and alcohol use have fallen; says federal grant ends in 2027

Impact Norwood, a community coalition that works with Norwood Public Schools and other local partners, briefed the Board of Selectmen on March 11 about prevention work it says has coincided with declines in youth substance use and described plans for outreach before its federal grant ends in 2027.

The presentation, led by Connor Brosnan, program director of Impact Norwood, summarized the coalition’s work in schools and the community and cited results from the MetroWest adolescent health survey that the program funds and administers biennially. “Our goal is to provide an environment for Norwood’s youth where they can grow and be the best version of themselves in a safe manner,” Brosnan said.

Impact Norwood described itself as a data-driven, community coalition founded in February 2014 and currently funded by a federal CDC grant that was structured as a 10-year award. Brosnan told the board the grant has roughly two and a half years remaining and is due to end in September 2027. The coalition works with students in grades 6–12 at Coakley…