The Building Our Lives Drug-free (BOLD) Coalition and Stanley Street Treatment and Resources (SSTAR) hosted a mayoral candidates' coffee hour at SSTAR on October 13, 2009. BOLD sponsored the event to provide an opportunity for citizens to hear more from the two mayoral candidates and form an opinion as to which mayoral candidate is best suited to support and enact the policy changes necessary to create a health community for youth. The mission of the BOLD Coalition is to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug abuse among youth by collaborating with the community to initiate policy change, raise awareness, modify social norms, educate youth and adults, and promote healthy activities. "This was a great opportunity to hear directly from candidates their position on the problem of substance abuse in our community and their position on treatment and prevention," commented BOLD Coalition Director Karen Fischer. Click here for photos of a previous candidate debate sponsored by BOLD. For more information, contact BOLD director Karen Fischer at 508-324-3537.

(Top row, left and center) Building Our Lives Drug-free (BOLD) youth director Mike Aguiar talks with candidates Will Flanagan and Cathy Ann Viveiros prior introducing them at the event. (Top row, right) SSTAR Executive Director Nancy Paull describes the history of SSTAR prior to showing a short video about the facility. (Middle row) Candidates Flanagan and Viveiros take ten minutes each to state their position on substance abuse treatment and services. (Bottom row, left) Ms. Viveiros talks with Rita Capotoso and Melissa Dick of St. Vincent's Home. (Bottom row, center) Power 2 Save Coalition director Jenna Legasse joins Ms. Capotoso and Ms. Dick in applauding both candidates following their presentations. (Bottom row, right) Local artist Judy Erickson talks with candidate Flanigan.