Strength Over Substances

What is Strength Over Substances?

Strength Over Substances is a Service Learning Project lead by Maeva Thomas. Its main goal is to raise awareness around the stigma of substance abuse and how people view it. 

Maeva Thomas

I am currently a sophomore in highschool, and I run and ski. I am also an active member of HDAAC (Holliston Drug and Alcohol Awareness Coalition), which works torwards substance free communities. I chose to work on this specific topic because I think it's something that not a lot of people are aware of. Substances ruin lives everyday, and we are letting it happen. Through this project, I would love to make it known that the effects of substance abuse is very bad, especially for teenagers.

Community Need Issue: Substance Abuse/Misuse

What even is Substance Abuse? Substance Abuse and Substance Misuse are actually the same thing! If you are using a substance the wrong way(misuse), then you are therefore abusing it. Once someone tries a drug or substance, their brain becomes hyper aware of the effects it has on you. For example, it can cause you to care less about the things you would most normally care about. And then there are the medical effects, such as diseases, cancer, infections, naseau, fatigue, etc. Substance Abuse is a very serious issue and something that needs to be taken care of, before it's too late.

Community Partner(s)

For this project, it made sense to partner with HDAAC, the Holliston Drug and Alcohol Awareness Coalition. HDAAC's mission is to fight against susbatnce misuse within our community. I am an active member of the HDAAC Youth Action Team, so I was able to effectivley communicate with the advisor, Zoe Moreau, to help plan a Trivia Night in May. HDAAC and HYAFS (Holliston Youth and Family Services; HDAAC works with HYAFS) have been a tremedous help to me during this class, and I could not have worked better with any other organization.