The sixth annual meeting and award celebration for the B.O.L.D. (Building Our Lives Drug-free) Coalition was held on October 12, 2011 at Stanley Street Treatment & Resources (SSTAR). BOLD Advisory Board Chairman Tom Pasternek opened the meeting and acknowledged the contribution of many people to the effort over the years, including retiring Fall River School Committee Member Marilyn Roderick. BOLD Executive Director Craig Gaspard then presented the 2011 Strategic Plan approved by the Advisory Board. SSTAR Executive Director Nancy Paull honored Ms. Roderick with a special award and additional awards were then presented to a number of community members who have supported the Coalition's efforts over the six years of its efforts to reduce youth substance use throughout the City. The program closed with a presentation by Jake Nichols, Pharm.D, MBA, BCPS, a pharmacist from "Addiction Medicine Resources", who became involved in prescription drug abuse. To see photos of last year's event click here and for the previous year's event, click here. For more information about the BOLD Coalition, funded by a  SAMHSA grant at Stanley Street Treatment & Resources call 508-324-3537.
 

(Top row)  BOLD Advisory Board Chairman Tom Pasternek opens the meeting after Executive Director Craig Gaspard distributes the agenda and introduces SSTAR Executive Director Nancy Paull. (Middle row) Youth Program Director Michael Aguiar summarizes the work of Teens Against Drug Abuse (TADA) before Program Evaluator Donna Caldwell summarizes the finding of the recent Youth Behavioral Risk Surveillance Survey. (Bottom row, left and center) Keynote speaker Jake Nichols tells his story after awards were presented to Karin Wood and others. (Bottom row, right) Examples of some of the photography produced by YEAH! participants was on display.