Woonsocket is Rhode Island’s 6th largest city of 7.7 square miles tucked into the northeastern part of Rhode Island on the Massachusetts border.

Woonsocket’s rich history dates back to its founding in 1820’s with one of the largest populations being of French Canadian decent coming to work in Woonsocket’s textile mills, which gained its power from the mighty Blackstone River.

Today, it is currently home to 41,186 individuals of varying cultures, ethnicity, socio-economic status and education levels.

The most recent data on 30-day high school youth use of marijuana is highest at 26% in the 12th grade, with an average of 23.2%

Regarding high school youth use of alcohol, again the highest use in in the 12th grade with 33% reporting use in the past 30 days.  The average is 20.9%.

The highest prescription drug misuse was reported in the 9th grade with 16% reporting use within the past 30 days.  The average is 6.5%.

Woonsocket unfortunately has one of the highest deaths to opioids with 43.

The strategies and activities implemented include community education, information dissemination, alternative youth activities through the Above the Influence Program, Toward No Drug Use curriculum in schools, among others.

Lisa Carcifero has served as Executive Director of the Woonsocket Prevention Coalition (WPC) since 2001.  Lisa is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and has a private therapy practice in Lincoln, RI.  She has worked in the Behavioral Healthcare treatment field for over twenty-five years.  She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Stonehill College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Medical, Clinical Social Work from Boston College. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.  Lisa is very active in the Woonsocket community and serves on local Boards of Directors, such as Woonsocket Rotary Club and Charitable Foundation; Chairperson of the Connecting for Children and Families Board of Directors; Woonsocket Senior Services Board member, Landmark Medical Center Board member; 2016- 2018 Milk Funds Appeal Chairperson; Woonsocket Juvenile Hearing Board member; past Board member of the YWCA RI; Past President of NRI Community Services Board of Directors.  Lisa lives in East Woonsocket with her husband, Christopher, and daughter, Alessandra. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, swimming, antiquing, attending gallery receptions, enjoying live theatre performances and reading.  Lisa can be reached at lcarcifero@woonsocketpreventioncoalition.org.