COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE ABUSE
PREVENTION PROGRAMS
  • Co-chairperson of the Burlington Drug and Alcohol Task Force, Burlington, MA reducing
    youth substance abuse. 2001-present

  • “ALL STAR”  AWARD Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) for dedication
    to community service educating parents about cough medicine abuse. 2008

  • Author of the school screening assessment for students suspected of substance abuse,
    published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in its “Comprehensive
    School Health Manual”. 2007

  • "Citizenship in Action" Certificate of Recognition from Office of Middlesex County District
    Attorney, Martha Coakley and the Middlesex Partnerships for Youth for efforts to make
    Middlesex County schools and communities healthier and safer. 2006

  • In-Service, Recruit & Specialty Instructor for Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. 2006-present

  • Specialty & Recruit Instructor for Municipal Police Training Council. 2006
MEMBERSHIPS / ASSOCIATION AFFILIATES:
Burlington Drug & Alcohol Task Force
Youth Risk Behavior Survey Consortium
MA Partners In Prevention
Middlesex Sheriff's Office
New York DWI
PARENT REVIEWS:

"This type of interactive class is so empowering.  After talking to my son because of your class, I feel I
got my son back a little rather than seeing him continue to drift away. You are a godsend. God Bless
You."  

"Make this program mandatory for parents to attend if you want your child to graduate middle school!"

“I want to thank you very much for your informative and interesting series of workshops!  I learned so
much from them, I just can’t tell you!  I will be thinking about your presentations for years to come.  
Already I can’t stop sharing what I’ve learned with friends that I run into.”

“The information about moldable teenagers that we can’t give up on is good news, and important to
pass along.  That’s how positive change begins.  With good communication about solutions to problems
that many, many people have.”

"Marilyn Belmonte is a wonderful speaker; the program is very informative, well focused, detailed and
practical."  "Essential for every parent of an adolescent!"  "Marilyn Belmonte handled a difficult subject
in a responsive manner and gave me an eye opening education on drugs."

"Your classes gave me the information and the strength to confront and try to education our older son.  
More importantly though, this has opened up discussions with our younger children as well and I know I
am much more aware now and I believe that gives me some power!"

"Definitely look into making attendance to this seminar a requirement that needs to be fulfilled in order
for your child to complete middle school and high school."  

"Bringing this information in a level all parents can understand will save their kids' lives."

"Make this course a requirement for parents of athletes and other school sponsored programs."
"Reducing Drug Abuse Through Recognition
And Community Awareness"
PARENT-TEEN WORKSHOPS:
"BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS: BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION GAP ON UNDERAGE DRINKING"-
Teach teens and their parents together about the latest research on how alcohol affects the adolescent
brain differently than the adult brain.  Designed to encourage parent-teen conversation!

"MARIJUANA: WEEDING OUT THE FACTS"- Non-political, scientific-based presentation on the effects of
marijuana on the brain, grades, driving, depression, suicide and addiction to other drugs.

ADULT ONLY WORKSHOPS:
APPLAUDD: A Prevention Program Learning About Underage Drinking & Drugs
Session #1:  Wide Variety of Drugs
Session #2:  Prescriptions & Over-The-Counter Drugs
Session #3:  Marijuana
Session #4:  Underage Drinking, Communication Tips & Strategies to Reduce Substance Abuse
* Can also be presented in a 3 session format.

"RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE: INHALANTS PREVENTION FOR PARENTS"
Especially designed for parents of elementary through middle school students.

"TURNING OFF THE TAP": UNDERAGE DRINKING & PREVENTION STRATEGIES-  The effect of alcohol on
the adolescent brain is better understood now.  Teaching parents about brain development and alcohol
can help change social norm around underage drinking.  

"GENERATION Rx: DANGER IN OUR MEDICINE CABINET"-  The new trend in teen drug abuse is
prescription drugs.  Young people perceive prescription drugs as safe and legal alternatives to illegal
drug use.  Many teens are “self-medicating” to improve academic and athletic performance.  Often this
leads to addiction of illicit drugs such as heroin.  

"DOUBLE JEOPARDY: ALCOHOL & PRESCRIPTION DRUGS"- Teens view alcohol and prescription
medicines as legal and safe alternatives to illegal highs.  But ground-breaking research shows the
detrimental effects of alcohol on the developing adolescent brain.  Prescription drugs and over-the-
counter medications are as addictive and deadly as illegal drugs.  (Also can be presented with marijuana
instead of prescriptions.)

"GATEWAY DRUGS: OUR CHILDREN ON THE ROAD TO TROUBLE"- Especially designed for parents of
elementary school students.  It covers tobacco & alcohol; how the young brain is affected and how they
lead to marijuana, over-the-counter medications, inhalants.

"TOBACCO: THE SMOKING GUN"- Research proves that early tobacco use increases risk of alcohol
disorders and other drug abuse.  Addiction, adolescent brain development and prevention is included.

"TEEN DRUG ABUSE: CAN YOU READ THE SIGNS?"-   Custom designed to address the drug trends in your
county/town.  Generally this course includes Heroin, Cocaine, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, OxyContin,
Dextromethorphan, Ecstasy and Inhalants.

"DRUG-FACILITATED SEXUAL ASSAULTS: DANCING WITH DANGER"-   GHB, Ketamine, Rohypnol and others
are easy to attain, cause loss of inhibitions, steal away the victim’s ability to say “no” and cause
amnesia.  They are often expelled from the body before the victim has any recollection of the assault so
recognition training is vital for first responders.

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS:
"THE 411 ON DRUGS & ALCOHOL"-   Workshop focusing on the consequences of underage drinking and
self-medicating with prescription drugs.  
"WHY 21?"- Alcohol abuse prevention workshop focusing on drinking/driving and binge drinking.
"THE 411 ON DRUGS" - Detailed workshop on drugs, includes prescriptions and OTC medications,
heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana.
"WHO WILL SAY NO FOR ME?" -  100,000 college students each year are sexually assaulted on college
campuses.  Raise awareness and teach prevention tools.  
Marilyn Grifoni Belmonte
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Program Director, Certified Instructor
781-572-1478
Marilyn@DrugAbuseRecognition.com
PROGRAM CALENDAR & FEES
(Contact Marilyn to schedule a presentation)