MELROSE — Melrose Police have teamed up with the Department of Health and Human Services and Melrose High School to spread a message of safety this prom and graduation season, and Chief Kevin Faller is using his podcast to help amplify the effort.

In his most recent Behind the Badge podcast on MMTV, Chief Faller spoke with Melrose High School Principal Jason Merrill, Public Health Specialist Emily Hatchouel, and Youth Action Team Coordinator Hannah Martuscello about using s education and enforcement to prevent youth alcohol use.

“We want to protect the youth in our community,” said Hatchouel. “We want to protect the high schoolers and middle schoolers as we go into this prom and graduation season.”

Chief Faller launched the “Behind the Badge” Podcast on MMTV in January 2024, shortly after becoming chief, with support from MMTV staff.

In the latest podcast, Chief Faller led a discussion of efforts to educate both students and families, and plans to enforce state laws as celebrations kick off.

Principal Merrill recounted a mock crash that was performed for 11th grade students at the high school last month to educate them about the dangers of impaired driving. Melrose Police and Fire, McGarvey Towing, Armstrong Ambulance and Melrose Drama teamed up to demonstrate a serious injury crash for students. A mock crash used to be held annually at Melrose High School, and the tradition returned this year thanks to the dedication of Traffic Officer John Doherty.

“The kids grow up super fast, and I think we need to help them along the way,” Merrill said.

Merrill also noted that the student Code of Conduct addresses controlled substances, and that violations of the Code of Conduct can lead to school discipline. Student-athletes who violate the code are also subject to discipline mandated by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).

Martuscello works as a liaison between Health and Human Services and Melrose Public Schools. She said there is a pilot program at the high school that involves students in educating the community and their peers about the dangers of substance use. That effort sees students partner with local businesses to educate both students and families.

“A lot of youth alcohol use happens either by youth getting access to alcohol from their home or the home of a friend, so its really important that we’re all keeping track of our alcohol and monitoring it, keeping a limited supply, and keeping it in a secure location,” Martuscello said. “If youth are having an underage drinking party in your house, the homeowner is going to be held liable if something bad happens. We want to make sure it doesn’t get to that point. We don’t want to have to enforce any penalty. We want to help in a preventive way.”

Chief Faller said the Massachusetts Social Host Law provides for fines of up to $2,000 and even possible jail time for those convicted of hosting underage drinking parties.

The chief also warned that Melrose Police will be enforcing underage drinking and public drinking laws this season, and that they know where all the usual party spots in the community are, including those in the woods.

“We’re going to be hitting that hard this summer,” Chief Faller said. “I’m kinda putting the message out there now.”

Chief Faller said police would vastly prefer to use education and diversion to prevent and address underage substance use, and he asked for parents and guardians to play a role as well.

“There’s always a balance to be struck between enforcement, education and diversion,” Chief Faller said. “Generally, we don’t want to put kids in the criminal justice system.”

To read a statement on underage substance use from the Melrose Department of Health and Human Services, click here.

To listen to the podcast, click here.