HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-20 Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council MinutesV
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SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING January 20, 2005 2005 h EB 2 3 A : 2 2
The regular meeting of the SAPAC was replaced by a parent workshop "Drugs
and Alcohol: Perilous Choices, Dangerous Consequences" at Coolidge Middle School,
presented by "Project Alliance" of the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.
MEMBERS PRESENT - Karyn Storti, Bob Brown, Bill Carrick, Mark Stanuil,
Gary Nihan, Lisa DiTrapano
MEMBERS EXCUSED - Matt Edson
MEMBERS ABSENT - Corey Porter, Carl McFadden,
school committee representative
Chairperson, Karyn Storti, introduced the speaker, Nora Mann of Project
Alliance. It was a very successful program with over 40 people in attendance. The
Power Point equipment was not functioning, so the discussion was conducted without it.
Gary Nihan, school Wellness Coordinator, remarked on the Project Life Skills
project and introduced Lisa Federici, Life Skills teacher for Reading schools. Gary
mentioned the proven impact of Life Skill training, (up to six years retention of
instruction) and stressed the importance of Youth Risk Survey.
The program consisted of questions from the audience and answers and discussion
of substance abuse temptation and consequences. Comments and observations during the
workshop included:
- Middle: School is a tough time for children
- Alcohol and tobacco are "gateway" drugs
- Life skills, decision making, goal making, need to be an ongoing process
Attraction of drugs similar, to that for alcohol
- As perception of risk goes down, use goes up
- Access to drugs
- Heroin cheaper than pack of cigarettes and now more pure
- Access is easy due to access to cell phones and transportation
- "Controlled" drugs in households - strict accounting necessary
- Obtain from grandma's drug cabinet
-Parent concern increased risk to students transitioning from 8th grade to high school
Special programs on substance abuse are often poorly attended. SAPAC should
consider short discussions of drugs at regular school/parent meetings rather than at
meetings exclusively advertised as substance abuse prevention.
NEXT MEETING - February 17
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Brown