April 29, 2026 – East Longmeadow, Massachusetts – In an effort to raise awareness and address the dangers of experimenting with drugs and the risk of taking prescription medication, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office recently visited East Longmeadow High School to present “Just Once” to students in grades 9-12.

The “Just Once” presentation includes a 24-minute documentary that tells the story of drug addiction and recovery through former students that attended local high schools, their parents, and experts in the field. The film delivers a powerful message, with a purpose of reinstating with young students: trying a drug “just once” can lead to devastating consequences.

In addition to the documentary, students heard from guest speaker Bradley Bodenstein who shared his personal story of addiction, loss, and recovery, reinforcing the real-life consequences of substance use. Bodenstein now works as program coordinator for the Hampden County Addiction Task Force for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office.

“This ‘Just Once’ presentation is about making young people stop and think before they take a risk they can’t undo,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “Too often, we see lives changed forever because of a single decision to experiment with drugs or misuse prescription medication. Our goal is to show that there is no such thing as ‘just once’ – the consequences can be immediate, devastating, and permanent.”

The “Just Once” presentation is part of the Hampden District Attorney’s ongoing efforts to combat substance abuse and the opioid crisis through education, prevention, and community engagement. Schools, parent organizations and community groups interested in hosting a presentation can contact Deputy Director of Community Safety & Outreach Gina Anselmo at gina.anselmo@mass.gov.