Wayland Patch 3/15/12: Statewide Alliance Focuses on Policy and Youth Well-Being. Local organizations and representatives from throughout Massachusetts gathered in Needham last month with two specific efforts in mind: educating the public about reducing youth substance abuse and addressing “the immediate medicinal marijuana threat in Massachusetts.”

Representatives from WaylandCares, a coalition dedicated to reducing youth substance abuse in Wayland, attended that meeting at Needham Town Hall, which served as the kickoff gathering of MAPA, the Massachusetts Prevention Alliance. In fact, WaylandCares Director Heidi Heilman helped spearhead the formation of the alliance.