Revere CARES: Preventing Substance Use Disorders

Launched by Massachusetts General Hospital and the community of Revere, Revere CARES is a coalition of concerned community residents, local officials, police, educators, parents, and teens working to reduce teen drinking and substance use disorders in Revere.

Since it was formed in 1997, the coalition has brought noticeable change to the community by:

• Increasing substance use disorder prevention education, after-school activities, and summer jobs;
• Significantly enhancing treatment for substance use disorders; changing bar closing times from 2am to 1am,
• Working to deny several liquor licenses.

Revere CARES has made an impact. Binge drinking among high school students in Revere dropped 39% between 1999 and 2009, while statewide rates remained flat, and the number of those currently drinking decreased by 27% in the same time period.

For their success, Revere CARES won the 2009 Coalition of the Year award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. This national award recognizes coalitions that demonstrate measurable reductions in multiple substance use disorder rates.

Revere CARES coalition focuses on four priorities:

1. Conducting community awareness campaigns.
2. Advocating for public policy changes and enforcement efforts.
3. Implementing science-based prevention and early intervention programs for youth.
4. Building a healthier community by collaborating with others.