Data & Graphs

QHSUA conducts a biannual survey of youth across the Quaboag Hills region to collect data on substance use, mental wellbeing, school climate, and other topics.  The data from the 2025 School Health Survey was gathered from 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in the following districts: Monson, North Brookfield, Palmer, Quabbin Regional, and Ware.  We use this data to inform our work and share it out to keep school administrators, parents, and the community at large informed. 

View the 2025 full report: Link to 2025 Report

View the 2023 full report: Link to 2023 Report

View the 2021 full report: Link to 2021 Report

Most students reported no illicit substance use in the 30 days prior to survey administration.  Of those who did report any use, the largest percentage fell into the “once or twice” category.  The three most commonly used substances were alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine in the form of e-cigarettes or vapes.

There is a downward trend of all substances across grades and years.  The percent of students reporting any alcohol use in the past 30 days dropped substantially between 2021 and 2025, particularly for 12th graders, who had the highest reported use to start with.  While not shown here, trend graphs for cannabis and nicotine look very similar and show the same downward trajectory.

To complement the data collected from the Youth Health Surveys, QHSUA has also conducted a biannual survey of parents, guardians, and caregivers in the Quaboag Hills region.  This survey primarily collects data about parent/caregiver beliefs and behaviors around teen substance use.  In the 2025 version, we also collected data around parent/caregiver substance use, mental health, and desire for support. 

View the 2025 full report: Link to Report*

View the 2023 full report: Link to Report* 

We run surveys with the larger QHSUA community as well as specifically with parents/guardians.

Results from the 2021-2022 Community Survey

One page review of how alcohol pricing affects consumption (PDF): QHSUA_AlcoholPriceReview

One page review on the health effects of high potency cannabis: QHSUA_HighPotencyCannabisReview

National Institute of Health’s HEALing Communities Resources

From 2021 to 2023, the National Institute of Health worked with local experts in Ware and Belchertown to conduct one part of the HEALing Communities study. Here are some informational documents from the project:
(i)Medications for Opioid Use Disorder saves lives: English, Spanish
(ii) Carry naloxone. Help save a life: English, Spanish
(iii) Opioid use disorder and addiction are treatable: English, Spanish
(iv) Stand up to stigma: English, Spanish
(v) Treatment and recovery for addiction: English, Spanish

Substance Use Disorder, like cancer and diabetes, is a chronic disease and should be treated like one. Unfortunately getting treatment for the disorder is stigmatized, keeping people from seeking help. Today the opioid crisis is killing people in Western Mass at an alarming rate.