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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024 Page 17 ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ Drug Education and Prevention Programs Save Lives in Local Communities By Judy Boulay I t seems as if every community, big or small, has been impacted by the problems associated with substance use and drug overdose. Within these communities, these problems extend into the family unit, with people becoming addicted and dying because of drugs. However, community drug education and prevention programs can be a fi rst line of defense. There is hope for the younger generations as they have more access to prevention and education resources to help them make informed decisions. In addition, more information is available for parents [https://www.addicted.org/supe/teens/teensand-alcohol/] to equip them with the tools to help their kids understand the dangers and risks associated with drugs and alcohol. Drug education and prevention campaigns operate across Massachusetts through government programs, community coalitions, and other entities. The state’s Department of Public Health has the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, which offers free evidence-based substance use prevention training for schools. Additionally, there is iDECIDE, an organization that developed a drug education curriculum for state middle and high school students. Anyone can become a facilitator. The Center for Strategic Prevention Support off ers resources to Massachusetts communities seeking to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug education. They can take the initiative to create an inclusive and supportive environment with their children. This can equip them with the tools they need to make knowledgeable decisions surrounding alcohol and drug use. Teens and adults all use Jody Boulay is a mother of two with a passion for helping others. She currently works as a Community Outreach Coordinator for DRS, which stands for Drug Rehab Services, to help spread awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. (Courtesy photo) abuse. Finally, Project Here provides free resources to educators across the state to teach prevention to middle school students. Prevention and education information is valuable as it contributes, for example, to preventing underage alcohol abuse and recreational drug use. This can be especially vital during Fourth of July celebrations. Binge drinking, for instance, around Independence Day is typical, and it is known as one of the heaviest drinking holidays of the year. In social settings, it becomes easy to consume too much alcohol. According to drug abuse statistics, Massachusetts has one of the nation’s lowest rates of underage-related drinking deaths. Roughly 21% of adults over 18 in the state binge drink at least once per month. Annually, there is an average of 2,760 deaths in the state attributable to excessive alcohol use. Parents play an essential role when providing drug drugs and alcohol for diff erent reasons. Much of their use is linked to peer pressure, whether from peers, in a social setting, or in the case of someone they look up to who they see drinking or using drugs. Stress is also a common factor, and alcohol or drugs seem like an easy escape from the problems of life. Additionally, environment and family history are contributing factors. Children, for example, who grow up in households with heavy drinking and recreational drug use are more likely to experiment with drugs. Any parents wondering what to do should consider starting the conversation about alcohol and drug use early. It is also essential to be calm, loving, and supportive. Seek out specialized resources, such as those off ered by county or nonprofi t organizations providing prevention and education. Additionally, parents want to focus on making it safe for their children to tell them anything and never end the conversation, keeping it going regardless of age. Local drug education resources are here to help assist people of all ages in making knowledgeable decisions about drugs and alcohol. FBI Boston Highlights Growing Number of Reported Elder Fraud Cases Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month I n advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation wants to remind friends, family, and loved ones of elderly Americans about the signs of elder fraud. While elder abuse can be perpetuated in any number of ways, the FBI has seen a double digit increase in financial fraud involving adults over the age of 60, prompting eff orts from the Bureau to bring awareness to these types of crimes. According to the FBI’s latest Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) data, there have already been $1.6 billion in losses from January to May of 2024, up nearly $300 million from the same period last year. In 2023, a total of $3.4 billion in losses were reported, and elder fraud complaints increased by 14% from the prior year. Here in the Boston Division, which includes all of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, total reported losses in 2023 were $89,553,975. 397 victims in Mainelost $7,162,225. 1,610 victims in Massachusetts lost $63,674,965. 408 victims in New Hampshire lost $11,339,097. 274 victims in Rhode Island lost $7,377,688. The reported losses are most likely much higher because older Americans are less likely to report fraud due to the fact that they either don’t know how to report it, are embarrassed, or don’t know they have been scammed. “Scam artists are doing everything they can to defraud our seniors out of their hard-earned money, and the FBI is doing everything it can to make sure they don’t succeed,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Educating our aging family members and friends about these elder fraud schemes is critical to protecting them. We need to work together to put these fraudsters out of business for good. If you are being victimized, or know someone who is, please report it to us at ic3.gov.” Criminal actors frequently target older adults, who they perceive to be more vulnerable, trusting, and have considerable fi nancial savings. They also assume seniors own real estate, have good credit, and are less likely to report fraud. Among the most common elder fraud schemes reported to IC3.gov in 2023 were tech support scams, confi dence and romance scams, investment scams, and government impersonation scams. From 2021 to 2023, elder victim and dollar losses to investment scams has sharply increased; victimization and losses increased 209% and 419% respectively, more than any other kind of fraud, largely due to the rising use of cryptocurrency. While anyone can become a victim of fraud, there are some steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your loved ones: • Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, emails, texts, mailings, and door-to-door service off ers. • Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to lure victims into immediate action, typically by instilling trust and inducing empathy or fear, or the promise of monetary gains, companionship, or employment opportunities. • Never provide to unverifi ed people or businesses any personally identifi able information, money, checks, or gift cards. • Search online for contact information (name, phone number, email, physical address) of any unknown source that reaches out to you, as well as the proposed off er. Verify the legitimacy of the business and check to see if anyone has posted information online about individuals/businesses attempting to run scams. • Take precautionary measures to protect your identity should a criminal gain access to your account or device. Immediately contact your fi - nancial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor for suspicious activity. If you or someone you know may have been a victim of elder fraud, contact your local FBI offi ce or report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. You should include the name of the scammer/company, the dates and methods of contact and payment, where the funds were sent, and a detailed description of the interaction. FOR SALE - MIXED-USE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL 225-229 Highland Ave., Malden MIXED-USE Two Commercial Convenience Stores AND Three Apartments - Two, 2-Bedoroom & One, 1-Bedroom Yearly Rental Income: $166,200 Call (781) 520-1091

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