Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force News Feed

Parents You Matter! Event

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:20:00 +0000

Parents You Matter: Drugs/Alcohol, Your Teen and YOU.

· Did you know that kids who learn about the dangers of drugs at home are 50% less likely to use?

Given the number of drug/alcohol related tragedies involving area youth in recent years, the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force announces the launch of a community presentation designed to increase parents’ understanding and confidence in preventing and addressing drug and alcohol issues. This is an important effort in our community for the fight against drug use. It is a surprise to many parents that they are the most powerful influence in a child’s life — greater than peers, popular music, television, celebrities and the media! Our research shows that kids who consistently learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are 50% less likely to use drugs and alcohol than those who do not; yet, only 30% of teens report learning about the dangers associated with drug use from their parents.

This multi-media training program and Q & A session with local experts aims to educate parents of teens/tweens about why kids use drugs and alcohol and what parents can do to protect their children. The program, called “Parents: You Matter”, was created by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and outlines important topics for parents and care-givers such as:

Why YOU matter
Why DO kids use drugs/alcohol
What YOU can do

o Communicate-4 Tips to Help

o Monitor-6 Tips to Help

o How to spot drug/alcohol use

o What to do if you spot drug/alcohol use

o Where you can learn more: Where to go to get information, tools, kits and other resources, free of charge, to help deal with substance abuse issues with your kids.

The event will take place Tuesday, March 9^th from 6:30pm-8:30pm at KRESA, 1819 E. Milham, Portage, MI 49002. The event is free of charge, adults only please. For more information about the event please contact Tonya Collins, KCSATF Coordinator at (269) 388-4200 x24 or visit the KCSATF website at www.kzootaskforce.com.

The efforts of the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force are funded through Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and a Drug Free Communities Grant through the National Office of Drug Control Policy.

'Progress made' in Portage teen drug-abuse fight

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:38:00 +0000

By Julie Mack | Kalamazoo Gazette

October 27, 2009, 11:43PM

PORTAGE — A year ago, Portage was a community wracked by concern over a string of heroin-overdose deaths among teens and young adults.

On Tuesday, about 50 people gathered to celebrate the efforts in addressing the issue of teen substance abuse since then.

“Wow. What a difference that a year and a community can make,” Portage Mayor Pete Strazdas said at the gathering at Portage City Hall.

“It’s better today than it was a year ago, no doubt about that,” Strazdas said. “There’s still work to be done, but significant progress has been made.”

Among the data reported Tuesday, illegal substances found at Portage high schools has declined. Also, a host of new prevention and education programs have begun, including various efforts aimed at local alcohol retailers, pharmacies and parents.

The issue of substance abuse surfaced in June 2008 after 18-year-old Amy Bousfield died of a heroin overdose three weeks after graduating from Portage Central High School.

Later that summer, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported that 12 teenagers or young adults had died of opiate-related overdoses in Kalamazoo County from January 2007 to August 2008. That was more overdose deaths in that age group than during the previous four years combined. Heroin was involved in four of the deaths, and all four of those victims were current or former Portage students.

Strazdas noted that those articles helped generate a standing-room-only meeting at Portage City Hall in September 2008, and many of those in attendance joined the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force.

The task force, which recently received a $625,000 federal grant to fund its efforts for the next five years, is focused on substance-abuse prevention, enforcement and treatment.

Among its accomplishments this past year, the task force:

Distributed booklets to alcohol retailers showing examples of driver’s licenses from all 50 states, an effort to reduce the ability of teens to use fake identifications.

Distributed 40,000 inserts to local pharmacies for inclusion in prescriptions of narcotics. The inserts told of the need to lock up such drugs to keep them away from teens.

Collected 100 pounds of controlled substances and 3,500 pounds of noncontrolled substances from leftover medications that families turned over to the Kalamazoo Department of Health and Community Services for incineration.

Created a new text-messaging system that allows Kalamazoo County Silent Observer to receive texts that tip police about criminal activity. In use since May, texts received so far have led to a raid on a Portage methamphetamine lab and helped officials derail a party planned by a teenager while his parents were away.

One sign of success is so far this school year no drugs or illegal alcohol have been found on the Portage Central or Portage Northern high school campuses, school officials said.

“We still need to be vigilant,” Portage Public Schools Superintendent Marsha Wells said. “Our work is not over. It’s just beginning.”

One Year Celebration Event!

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:04:00 +0000

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force to host

1st Annual Celebration Event!

The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force will be hosting their 1^stAnnual Celebration event on Tuesday, October 27^th at 7:00 pm at Portage City Hall. Over the last year, in collaboration with countless youth, parents, business and community partners, and concerned citizens Task Force volunteers have worked diligently to develop a Kalamazoo County action plan and begin implementing strategies to prevent high risk youth behaviors, promote community awareness of their effort, connect plentiful community resources, and provide useful substance abuse prevention information to local families.

“The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force accomplishments this past year were made possible by the numerous volunteers who generously gave of themselves and gave of their time because they are committed to making this community a healthier and safer place for our youth” states Jenny Jordan, Task Force Coordinator. “During these tough times volunteers represent a major part of our continued success”. This event will honor the dedication of local volunteers, recognize Task Force accomplishments, and highlight the group’s vision for the upcoming year.

Community members and members of the press are invited to join several key stakeholders including the City of Portage Mayor Pete Strazdas, Superintendent of KRESA Ron Fuller, Portage Public Schools Superintendent Marsha Wells, local law enforcement officers and others as we celebrate a year of successes and honor those who have worked diligently to fight back against substance abuse in our community. For more information about this event please call 269.388.4200 or visit the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force website at www.kzootaskforce.com.

The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force gets grant to fight drug abuse

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:35:00 +0000

KALAMAZOO -- The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force has received a five-year, $625,000 federal grant to help prevent and reduce drug use among the county's youths.

The task force will use the money, awarded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, to fund programs similar to the Smart Summer 2009 campaign, said Carla Winchester, assistant director of Prevention Works, which oversees the task force. The Smart Summer program used questions and fact sheets to encourage parents to monitor and mentor their children.

"We really want to focus on alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs, and we want to do it on the community level," Winchester said.

She said the grant money will expand a prescription-drug-awareness campaign, boost the county's referral system and start an anti-underage drinking campaign aimed at vendors and parents.

The task force will receive $125,000 each year and can reapply for five more years of funding.

The grant was part of $21 million in grants awarded to 161 communities across the country, according to Prevention Works.

Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, commended the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force for its work to reduce youth drug use, a news release stated.

Winchester said the funding will be available on Oct. 1, and some of the new programs could be in place by early next year.

Contact Aaron Aupperlee at aaupperlee@kalamazoogazette.com or (269) 388-8576.

Kalamazoo Task Force on Substance Abuse Smart Summer 2009 question campaign aimed at helping parents, kids

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Kalamazoo Task Force on Substance Abuse Smart Summer 2009 question campaign aimed at helping parents, kids - Kalamazoo News

Posted by Aaron Aupperlee | Kalamazoo Gazette September 14, 2009 09:44AM

PORTAGE -- Simone Snyder sent out nearly 5,000 e-mail messages during this summer's Kalamazoo Task Force on Substance Abuse Smart Summer 2009 campaign.

The Youth Development Coordinator for KYDNet mass e-mailed the campaign's weekly questions for parents to the organization's 350-plus mailing list each week.

Smart Summer round up

The Kalamazoo Task Force on Substance Abuse used questions throughout the summer to prompt parents to monitor and mentor their children. This summer's questions were:

• Do you know where your kids are now?

• Are the parents home?

• Do you know your kid's friends?

• Will your kids be safe this 4th of July?

• Are your kids drinking alcohol at summer parties?

• Is the driver sober?

• What Internet sites did your kid visit today?

• Who is at your house right now?

• Are your prescription drugs secured?

• Who do your kids want to be like?

• Do you know who your kids are with?

• Are you a good role model for your kids?

• Have you talked to your kids about drugs?

• What are your kids' future dreams?

For accompanying tip sheets and more information on the task force visit: http://www.kzootaskforce.com/pages.php?page_name=smartsummer

"As soon as the (e-mail) would go out, people would come back and say, "This is great,'" Snyder said.

During the summer campaign, businesses and organizations, like the Irving S. Glimore Foundation-funded youth development initiative KYDNet, promoted 14 questions developed by the task force geared toward getting parents more involved with their children's lives. The Kalamazoo Gazette ran the questions each week inside Monday's papers.

The questions dealt with serious issues facing youth, teens and young adults, from drinking to prescription drug abuse to goals for the future, Snyder said. What made the campaign a success in her eyes was the frank and easy-to-understand nature of the questions and a three-word follow-up question included with each: "Are you sure?"
"When you work with kids, it's easy to get a question answered the way we, the adult, want it answered," she said, adding the real work begins when the true answer is counter to what the adults want.

To better learn the effect the campaign had on parents in the community, the task force plans to distribute a survey in the coming weeks to parents and organizations involved. The survey will ask specifically whether the materials and questions provided by the task force were helpful and how the campaign can improve next year, said Jenny Jordan, task force coordinator.

"What we're really trying to get at is was there any behavior change as an outcome from this," Jordan said.

Jordan said the task force started the summer without knowing how much the community would participate in the campaign. Throughout the summer, however, more and more businesses and organizations signed up to hang posters, send out e-mail blasts and hand out tip sheets for parents. By the end of the summer, 35 different businesses or organizations, ranging from libraries to restaurants, from courthouses to churches, participated.

"Obviously, we were thrilled to have that big of response," Jordan said.

Jordan said the results of the survey will play a big role in what the program will look like next summer, but she expects a similar campaign.

Contact Aaron Aupperlee at aaupperlee@kalamazoogazette.com or (269) 388-8576.

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force targets prescription-drug abuse

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:23:00 +0000

Thursday August 20, 2009, 12:38 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force Web site at www.kzootaskforce.com. The task force also can be reached by calling (269) 388-4200 ext. 27.

KALAMAZOO -- The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force is asking adults to secure their prescription drugs in connection with National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month.

As part of this effort, the task force has distributed 40,000 flyers to pharmacies and doctors' offices offering facts about prescription-drug abuse and giving tips on how to keep drugs safe, said task force coordinator Jenny Jordan, a program coordinator at Prevention Works.

Pharmacists have been sticking the flyers inside prescription bags, and some doctors have handed out the flyers when they write the prescriptions, Jordan said. One pharmacist has started stapling the flyer to the front of the bag, bringing the message to the forefront, she said.

According to the task force, 19 percent of young people in grades seven through 12, or 4.7 million of them, report trying prescription or over-the-counter drugs for recreational use in 2007.

"Teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a 'safe' high and they are easily available," Jordan said in a prepared statement.
Research shows that youths who learn about the risks of drug abuse from their parents are less likely to use drugs, but only one-quarter of parents nationally discuss the risks of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, Jordan said.

The task force suggests that parents:

• Secure the medications in their houses so youths cannot access them without permission and properly discard old and unused prescriptions..

• Talk to other parents and adults to ensure they have the same policies in their homes.

• Set and enforce clear rules about drug use and establish consequences for breaking the rules.

• Learn about the online activities of your children, their use of technology and their exposure to pro-drug messages.

• Be aware of indications that children may be abusing prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs. (See "Is someone you know addicted?")

Gazette reporters Linda S. Mah and Aaron Aupperlee contributed to this story.

Letter to the editor

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Printed in the Kalamazoo Gazette; August 16, 2009

Children copy what they see their parents doing

Four out of five of the most abused narcotics in high schools are prescription drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates 6 million Americans are abusing prescription medications -- more than the number abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants combined.

Frequently abused drugs may include pain relievers, anti-depressants and stimulants. You can help curb this growing problem by keeping an inventory of your medications and securing them in a locked box. By locking up your prescriptions, you can keep these potentially dangerous drugs out of the hands of your children, their friends and other visitors to your home.

In addition, please lead by example. Medications can be a wonderful thing when taken as prescribed. Yet we are quickly becoming a drug-dependent society by using drugs in lieu of healthier alternatives, such as rest, regular exercise, a healthy diet and leading a balanced life.

Would rest and hydration ease your headache? Would a brisk walk relieve some of your anxiety? Have you tried prayer, meditation or yoga to help deal with stress? Our children watch us. They see us when we pop a pill for any ache or pain. They see us when we head to the liquor cabinet as a way to deal with a tough day. They watch us light up when we're on edge. They watch us all right.

Then they turn around and do what we wish they wouldn't. They turn to drugs and alcohol to solve their problems. Let's all be a good example to the youth of our community. Abstain from the misuse of drugs and alcohol.

Denise Ahle
Kalamazoo

Join Forces

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:54:00 +0000

Viewpoint: Join forces with the county substance abuse task force

by Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force Steering Committee
Saturday August 08, 2009, 7:00 AM

An article in the July 22 edition of the Kalamazoo Gazette summarized the results of three major drug offensives detailed by U.S. Attorney Brian Lennon in a news conference on July 21. Lennon said three separate investigations led to the seizure of about 2.5 kilograms of heroin, 2 kilograms of cocaine and 22 grams of crack cocaine. The drugs seized in the three cases had a street value of more than $700,000. Imagine, nearly three-quarters of a million dollars worth of drugs on the streets of our community.

The crackdown also resulted in charges against 13 people. As of July 28, eight of the suspects had been sentenced to lengthy terms in federal prisons, Lennon said. As the members of the Steering Committee of the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force, we applaud the tireless efforts of members of our Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office.

Our committee also wants to underscore that the task force has ramped up its efforts to prevent and stem the tide of substance abuse in the last year, and we have increased our collaborative efforts with law enforcement, schools and community partners. But before we share what those efforts have accomplished, perhaps we should remind you of the friends and neighbors responsible for them.

The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force is a mosaic of more than 100 active, diverse and dedicated community members who represent every sector of the community. These members work to develop strategies and practices to address alcohol and substance abuse issues where we all live and work. The effort involves reducing access to substances, preventing high-risk behaviors, promoting community awareness, connecting community resources and providing education. Among the task force's recent accomplishments:

• Signed 71 collaborative agreements with individuals representing virtually every community sector.

• Conducted 100 one-on-one community interviews.

• Conducted vendor education with local alcohol retailers to prevent underage sales.

• Created a Smart Summer 2009 campaign to heighten awareness of parents and caregivers regarding teen

substance use.

• Developed materials for parents in collaboration with local law enforcement and schools.

• Completed the application process for a Drug Free Communities Federal Grant.

• Worked with Silent Observer to implement the Text-A-Tip program.

• Developed a Prescription Drug Awareness Campaign to launch in August 2009.

Clearly, there is a lot going on within the task force. This is only a brief sample drawn from what we have done, what we are currently doing and what we must still do. We cannot relax or bask too long in the glow of the good news mentioned at the beginning of this piece. Make no mistake: Those who prey on the youth of this community are always at work.

News of major drug busts is a wake-up call, friends and neighbors. But it's also an opportunity to take ownership and play a part in the prevention and defense against a serious threat to our young people. The members of the steering committee believe we all want the same thing for our community's youth -- a safe passage, hope, high expectations and a fair chance of realizing their dreams. Please help us.

Won't you get involved with the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force? Lean with us into a community-wide harness to pull the county out of apathy's reach. Remember, it's our voice, our community, our opportunity. For more information about the task force visit our Web site at www.kzootaskforce.com.

The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force Steering Committee is: Jeff Fink, Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeff Hadley, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, Jeff Patton, Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Ed Sackley, district representative for U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, Danielle Sielatycki, Prevention Works, Pete Strazdas, Portage, Marsha Wells, Portage Public Schools and Richard White, Portage Police Department.

Secure Your Meds Press Release

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:23:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2009

CONTACT:

Jenny Jordan, Coordinator

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force

(jjordan@prevention-works.org)

269.388.4200, ext. 27

www.kzootaskforce.com

Do you know what is in your medicine cabinet?

August is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, and the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force is asking adults in our community to Secure Your Meds! Task Force volunteers developed an educational insert that will be distributed in 40,000 prescription bags with the assistance of local pharmacists this month. The abuse of prescription drugs-such as pain relievers, depressants, and stimulants-is on the rise among youth. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 (19 percent) or 4.7 million youth reporting trying prescription or over -the -counter (OTC) drugs for recreational use in the last year (Partnership for a Drug Free America, 2008 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study).

Adults in our community are in a unique position to impact this growing trend by reducing youth access to these substances in their home and talking to the youth in their lives about the dangers of prescription and OTC drug abuse.

“Teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a “safe” high and they are easily available” states Jenny Jordan, Task Force Coordinator. Although millions of Americans benefit from the proper use of prescription drugs, they can be dangerous when taken without medical supervision or mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Youth who abuse prescription drugs to get high can suffer immediate serious consequences including: addiction, hallucinations, strokes, seizures, comas, and even death.

“Research continually shows us that youth who learn about these risks from their parents are less likely to use drugs, but only one quarter of parents nationally report discussing the risks associated with the abuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines with their kids,” says Jordan.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) urges adults to educate themselves about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and take the following concrete steps to protect the youth in our communities:

· Keep track of quantities of and SECURE the prescription and OTC drugs in your own home, so that youth cannot access them without your permission;

· Talk to the parents and other adults in your life, and ensure they have the same policy in their homes;

· Properly discard old and unused prescriptions;

· Set and enforce clear rules about drug use, including prescription drug abuse, and establish consequences for breaking the rules;

· Tune into and learn about the online activities of the youth in your life, their use of technology, and exposure to pro-drug messages; and

· Be observant and look for indications that youth in your life may be abusing prescription or OTC drugs.

For more information about what adults in our community can do and should know about teen prescription and OTC drug abuse, visit the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force Web site: www.kzootaskforce.com, and the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Web site for parents: http://www.TheAntiDrug.com. The Secure Your Meds campaign was made possible through the support of Prevention Network and Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

A Word to the Wise about Drinking & Driving

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:19:00 +0000

Is the driver sober? Are you sure?

HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR PARENTS:
drugfree.org
parenting.org
abovetheinfluence.com
theantidrug.com
parentingisprevention.org
drugfreeamerica.org

GET INVOLVED!
Tips for Parents...Set clear "no underage drinking boundaries", talk to your kids about the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving and set clear expectations surrounding this issue. Monitor your child’s activities by knowing who they are with, what they will be doing and where they will be Role model responsible behavior with your kids by refusing to drink and drive and always establishing a sober driver prior to drinking responsibly.

It is important for young people to practice their refusal skills. Practice role playing situations with your child to help them prepare for risky situations Smart Summer is proudly brought to you by: A word to the wise about drinking and driving. We all know that drinking and driving is dangerous and can have devastating consequences. Most parents and adults agree that they would NEVER want their young person to ride in a car with a person that was drinking. Young people tend to have the idea that “It will never happen to me” and this makes it even more important to clearly define the rules, expectations and boundaries surrounding this issue. It is important that we role model this for our children by refusing to drive or ride along with a person that was drinking. Our kids are watching us so we need to play it safe by modeling responsible drinking and securing a designated driver before drinking.

Did you know?
Summer represents one of the most dangerous and deadliest times of the year on the Nation’s highways. One big reason is a significant jump in alcohol-related traffic crashes and fatalities.

Community Group Receives Grant

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:19:00 +0000

The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force has been awarded a Prevention on Purpose Grant by Prevention Network. They received $2,500 to conduct their "Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign" project.

Please review attachment for further details.

Smart Summer Initiative

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:07:00 +0000

The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force and partnering agencies announces its Smart Summer 2009 Campaign intended to raise community awareness on issues related to substance use/abuse and to support efforts to collaboratively impact these issues. ...

Smart Summer Press Release

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Press Release

TASK FORCE URGES ADULTS TO MAKE IT A SMART SUMMER 2009

Week One Question:
Do you know where your kids are right now? Are you sure?

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN—Jenny Jordan, Coordinator of the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force believes adults in our community can help prevent youth substance use and other risky behaviors this summer by making it a SMART SUMMER. Adults who are able to set boundaries, monitor activities, and stay connected with the youth in their lives are setting the stage for their youth to make smart decisions and enjoy a safe summer.

“Summer time is a particularly high risk period for youth substance abuse,” says Jordan. “The SMART SUMMER 2009 campaign will provide tools to parents and community members that will support the well-being of our youth.”

SMART SUMMER 2009 is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force, the City of Portage, the City of Kalamazoo, Portage Public Schools, and Kalamazoo Public Schools. The initiative consists of educational messages aimed at adults in our community that will be unveiled weekly beginning the week of June 8th and continuing thru Labor Day. “Community members will be exposed to a new question each week to ponder and encouraged to visit the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force website for tips/tools related to each weekly question,” Jordan states. Numerous Kalamazoo County businesses and organizations are participating in this effort to mobilize our community and raise awareness by displaying weekly posters, emailing contacts with the weekly question, including a link on their website, and/or recognizing the campaign in newsletters/bulletins.

The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force is a dedicated group of community members who develop strategies, programs and practices to address alcohol and substance abuse issues in the community. This effort involves reducing access to substances, preventing high-risk behaviors, promoting community awareness, connecting community resources and providing education. The efforts of the Task Force are funded by a Strategic Prevention Framework/State Incentive Grant through the Michigan Office of Drug Control Policy and Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The Task Force is housed at Prevention Works.

To learn more or to get involved, visit www.kzootaskforce.com.

Kalamazoo County task force targets teen alcohol use

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:56:00 +0000

Originally posted by Tom Haroldson in the Kalamazoo Gazette

PORTAGE -- If she ever needed to report a crime, Portage Central High School freshman Devon Jordan says a new Silent Observer text-messaging program is an ideal tool for someone her age.

"Kids are really good at texting these days," said Devon, 15, a member of the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force. "You can text stuff and no one knows you're doing it. I think it will work."

The text-messaging program, now available in Kalamazoo County, is one of several initiatives that have been launched by the task force as it steps up efforts to deter young people from using drugs and alcohol during prom and graduation season.

The task force, made up of more than 100 parents, teachers, law-enforcement personnel, elected officials and church representatives, has been active since last September, when about 275 people attended a "Call to Action" community meeting in Portage. The event was sparked by the Kalamazoo Gazette's reports on the heroin-overdose deaths of six former and current students of Portage Public Schools from 2004 to 2008.

While heroin use is a concern, task-force members said the group is focusing on a more common problem: alcohol use among young people. It has distributed a parent tip sheet on dealing with young people's alcohol use, visited retailers with its vendor-education program on alcohol sales to minors and worked with police on selective traffic-enforcement zones aimed at potential drunken drivers. On Tuesday, the newest task-force initiative, "Smart Summer 2009," will be announced at a 6:45 p.m. press conference at Portage City Hall.

"The community is watching out for itself," said Portage Mayor Pete Strazdas, a task-force member. "Instead of talking about it, complaining to the mayor or police or telling the schools they need to deal with the problem, we're doing something about it."

Task-force members said Silent Observer text messaging has the potential to greater involve teens in deterring not only alcohol use but drugs, vandalism, bullying and other problems in schools and neighborhoods.

"This is the next generation of Silent Observer," said Capt. Joe Taylor, coordinator of the Kalamazoo County Silent Observer program and commander of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, a drug-enforcement unit. "It has the potential of making the Silent Observer program even better, along with the regular calls and the Web site reporting that people can also do."

The program's software protects the caller's identity by sending the text message through a series of "filters," Taylor said. They are routed through a Canadian company that developed the software and come back encrypted so that "we don't know who the person is," he said. The key, according to Taylor, is making the text messages concise yet detailed.

"When they text message Silent Observer, they only get 160 characters, which is like two short sentences," he said. "We'll get back to them for more information if needed."

The text-messaging system was first used in the area in Grand Rapids. Chris Cameron, Grand Rapids' Silent Observer coordinator, said the system has been in place there for about a year and, while it has produced no arrests, it has been widely used.

"It's working, but it's a little slow in coming," she said. "We've found that most of the time we have to write back and ask for more detailed information. But it's nice to have that two-way communication. It's a natural next step to report a crime without saying a word."

Members of the substance-abuse task force said the high-visibility drunken-driving enforcement program that places patrols on high-traffic streets at night has been a success in catching drivers of all ages.

The program's coordinator is Lt. Brian Crandall, of the Western Michigan University Department of Public Safety. In the first three weekends of the effort this year, Crandall said, 13 drivers have been charged with operating a vehicle while impaired during patrols from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Stadium Drive, West Michigan Avenue and West Main Street. There also have been multiple misdemeanor citations issued and a handful of felony arrests. The statistics do not include this weekend's selective enforcement along South Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo and Portage.

"We want to let people know we're out there," said Crandall, who works with several area police agencies whose officers work the shifts. "We want them to know they might get stopped and you're going to get caught unless you take a different way home -- like have someone drive you or take a taxi."

Strazdas said members of the substance-abuse task force believe their efforts are working.

"People and parents are talking about not buying alcohol for parties. More people are aware of drug abuse and alcohol use," he said. "An engaged community got involved in this and have been doing a lot of cool stuff. We're seeing results."

Jordan, who got involved in the task force because of alcohol-related difficulties encountered by a couple of her friends, agrees there has been progress.

"I have heard a couple of kids say how much harder it is to get alcohol in the Portage area," she said. "It seems to be making a difference."

Make Mom happy on Mother's Day by making anti-drug pledge

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Originally posted by Linda Mah in the Kalamazoo Gazette

KALAMAZOO -- It's a simple idea, but Dr. Michael Liepman hopes that it will get kids and families thinking about drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

Liepman, a psychiatrist and professor with Michigan State University's Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, has worked with Prevention Works to create a Mother's Day card in which kids pledge to steer clear of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

``We want to use Mother's Day as an opportunity to try to address issues of kids using drugs and to draft a contract that kids could give to their mothers and say, `Basically, my gift to you is I'm going to try to be safe and not do things that are dangerous to myself so you don't have to worry about me,''' Liepman said.

Jenny Jordan, a prevention specialist with Prevention Works, said some faith-based groups are using the card as a project, and it will be available at a fee during the Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Carnival planned for 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairground. The card also is downloadable at www.kzootaskforce.com (look under ``Resources'').

The card says, ``I want you to know that I do not plan to use alcohol until I am of legal age and I do not plan to use drugs.'' It also includes a section where a child can write about their hopes and dreams for the future.

``This is a way kids can initiate the conversation,'' Jordan said. ``The ideal age for kids to do this is late elementary and early middle school. We know a lot of kids start experimenting in middle school and in that transition to high school. We want to get them committed to achieving their goals early and don't want them to risk putting those goals in jeopardy.''

Liepman said it is essential to reach younger children with this message. Too often, he said, he sees 18-year-old clients seeking rehabilitation services who have been abusing substances for five or six years.

``We have to do something to prevent this,'' Liepman said. `It's crazy to have to mop up the messes in people's lives.''

Signing the card might not be life-changing, but it might create a process that gives a child a chance to rethink their choices and their actions, Liepman said.

``If I were a mother, I'd like to get a contract like that as a gift more than something from the mall,'' he said.

Task Force Urges Active Support of Alcohol Awareness Month

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:53:00 +0000

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN—Jenny Jordan, Coordinator of the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task
Force believes adults can be positive role models, especially during Alcohol Awareness Month. April has so
been designated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health SDepartment of Health and Human Services....

Be a force for good during Alcohol Awareness month

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:55:00 +0000

Originally published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on April 29, 2009

Not only is April the gateway to spring, it is also Alcohol Awareness month. It has been so designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As the coordinator of the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force, I urge adults to join us in making a stand against alcohol abuse among our youth. There's no time like the present to do so.

As we move into the prom and graduation season, the risk that tragedies resulting from underage drinking will mar these celebrations increases dramatically. As caring, responsible adults, we can be positive role models and do a great deal to discourage underage drinking.

Nationwide, underage drinking is a serious and persistent problem with a price tag of nearly $62 billion. Alcohol is the drug of choice among America's adolescents, used by more young people than tobacco or illicit drugs. To learn more about the scope of this national issue, visit www.ncadd.org, the Web site of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

There is a serious problem with alcohol abuse among local youth. Kalamazoo County averaged approximately .3 alcohol-related traffic crash deaths per 10,000 residents from 2002 through 2006 according to Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

In 2006, 5.5 percent of Michigan residents were considered heavy drinkers (men who drink more than two alcoholic beverages per day and women who drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day). In Kalamazoo that figure is 8.6 percent. In addition, more than 22.6 percent of Kalamazoo residents engaged in binge drinking (five or more drinks) during the past month, compared to 17 percent statewide. About 20 percent of underage adults (18-20) have engaged in binge drinking in the past month.

Data from surveys conducted through a needs assessment coordinated by the Kalamazoo County Regional Substance Abuse Coordinating Agency in its six-county service area indicates that more than 40 percent of young people in the region between the ages of 12 and 17 reported that it is relatively easy to obtain alcohol. Within the past year 20 percent of the drinkers in the region have driven a motor vehicle when they were potentially impaired.

As positive adult role models, we should pay attention to the way we talk about alcohol and how we use it around youth -- especially during this season of proms and graduation celebrations. We should also take steps to find out how youth spend their free time and make it a point to meet their friends. We also need to set clear limits on alcohol use.

We can help make a difference by talking to people about youth substance abuse and becoming positive voices in our neighborhoods, churches, community groups, workplaces or schools. For free information and downloadable materials, contact our local task force at www.kzootaskforce.com.

The dedicated group of community members who make up the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force is trying hard to be a collective force for good. It is our voice, our community and our opportunity. Won't you join us for the sake of our youth? Won't you lend a hand to protect our young men and women?

Jenny Jordan is the prevention specialist for the Kalamazoo Substance Abuse Task Force for Prevention Works.

Kalamazoo Gazette Viewpoint

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:51:00 +0000

The Kalamazoo Gazette's recent articles about the tragic deaths of youth in Portage and other areas of Kalamazoo County who were addicted to heroin and other opiates brought needed visibility to the serious problem of drug dependency and abuse. Our community has...

Kalamazoo County Parents Look for Solutions

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:39:00 +0000

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

BY JULIE MACK
jmack@kalamazoogazette.com
388-8578

PORTAGE -- Joni Shore says she doesn't want to be "one of those naive parents saying my kids would never do" drugs or alcohol.

So Shore, the mother of a fourth- and a sixth-grader, joined a standing-room-only crowd Monday at Portage City Hall to talk about teen substance abuse. About 275 people attended the event, billed as a "Call to Action" community meeting and sponsored by the year-old Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force.

Teen substance abuse is a hot subject in Portage, where six former and current students of Portage Public Schools have fatally overdosed on heroin since 2004, including four since December.

Funded by state and county agencies, the task force was created before the recent outcry in Portage, but the deaths have raised the group's profile, and Portage officials are promoting the task force as an opportunity to create systemic reforms.

Monday's meeting was an initial step toward galvanizing county residents to adopt better drug-prevention strategies as well as improve intervention and treatment programs. The centerpiece of the meeting was a 15-minute video titled "This Place" about community efforts in Lincoln, Neb.; Tacoma, Wash.; and San Diego to crack down on the marketing and selling of alcohol to teenagers and young adults.

The video noted that alcohol-related accidents cause more deaths among teenagers than the combined total of deaths attributed to illegal drugs.

Task force coordinator Jenny Jordan said Kalamazoo County had 410 alcohol-related traffic accidents in 2004, more than one a day and that the county's rate of alcohol-related injuries is 85 percent higher than the state average. As the audience murmured about that statistic, Jordan said one reason might be that Kalamazoo is a college town.

Jordan offered other statistics indicating the breadth and depth of substance abuse among young people. Statewide, she said, 22 percent of children have tried cigarettes, alcohol or marijuana before the age of 10, and 18 percent of West Michigan high school seniors say they've been drunk or high at school.

Jordan said she recently sat through a focus group of Kalamazoo and Portage high school students, who said that marijuana was as easily available and as widely used locally as alcohol.

She said that children most at risk of substance abuse are children who are disengaged from school and have little supervision at home. Conversely, children with strong attachments to school and their families are less likely to abuse substances, Jordan said.

She said the task force wants to increase the prevalence of the protective factors, including publicizing the parenting strategies that discourage substance abuse.

Among those strategies: Setting and enforcing curfews, refusing to provide underage children with alcohol and serving as good role models in terms of alcohol use.

"Parents need to pay attention to little things," said Dawn Wagner, of the Portage Central High School PTO. They should be suspicious about a child doing laundry early on a Saturday morning, or one who takes to using mouthwash and/or eye drops, or refuses to bring friends home, she said.

"Understand that good kids sometimes make poor choices," said Margaret O'Brien, a parent of teenagers who serves on both the Portage City Council and the substance-abuse task force. "This is huge. These are good kids, but their brains aren't fully formed. They have poor impulse control, and they can make poor choices."

Jordan said the task force also is creating four subcommittees to attack substance abuse.

"We've been very shaken by the deaths of well-loved children from some wonderful families," O'Brien said. "Let's make sure to support those families whose children are fighting addiction."

September 12, 2008 - PRESS RELEASE

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:37:00 +0000

“Community Call to Action Meetings” in Portage and Kalamazoo to address growing trends in youth substance abuse. The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force is bringing the community together to start discussing solutions to local alcohol and substance abuse issues.

Kalamazoo, MI, September 12, 2008: Twenty-two percent of Michigan high school students said....