Above: An upcoming event hosted by Encompass is about more than watching a movie. (image of cropped flyer)
In just over a month, the Northborough-Southborough substance use prevention coalition will host an educational “Movie Night” for the community.
To encourage parents and families to attend, Encompass promotes that older kids can participate and free childcare is available for the younger ones.
Despite the name, the event is more than just a movie night. It will also feature a Q&A with local “experts”.
Organizers hope to educate parents and families about “the risks of youth substance use in the digital age”.
Some Southborough parents may have attended a “Screenagers” movie night in 2016.* The film to be featured this February isn’t a repeat.
“Screenagers: Under the Influence” is part of a series by the director of the original documentary that focused on the impact of social media and other screentime on youth. The movie series’ website explains that the new film focuses on “the impact of our digital age on teens’ decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs, and alcohol.”
The event will take place at Algonquin Regional High School on February 25th, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
The movie screening will be “followed by a Q&A featuring a panel of local subject matter experts in the fields of pediatric medicine, law, mental health and substance use recovery!”
Encompass promotes that the film is appropriate for both adults and kids ages 12+. For younger kids, families can take advantage of the free childcare to be provided by Algonquin students.
You can learn more about the event and sign up here. (To learn more about the movie, you can click here.)
Anyone with questions can contact eflavin@town.northborough.ma.us or call 508-504-1770.
*The 2016 event was led by Southborough Youth & Family Services in partnership with Trottier Middle School and the SOS. SYFS is part of Encompass coalition that has been formed since to focus on substance use prevention efforts in both Northborough and Southborough.
