HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-18 Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council MinutesREADING SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION ADVISORY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 18, 2003
CALL TO ORDER - 7:48 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT - Bill Carrick, Alexandra Rowen, Sandy Michaud, Karyn Storti, Bob
Brown, Matt Edson, Dale Merrill, Gary Nihan, Jane Fiore.
ABSENT - Lisa DiTrapano, Mark Staniul, John Russo
REVIEW OF MINUTES - Minutes of May 15, 2003 meeting reviewed and approved.
PUBLIC INPUT - Emily Martin, Reading resident and nursing student at Salem State College
stated she was here to observe and research town's adolescent use and abuse of substances. Bill
Carrick talked about our mission, gave examples of programs we sponsored. Alexandra and Jane
spoke about peer leadership program and Matt talked about drinking at dances and heroin use in
town, NEMLEC funding cuts and the use of dogs in some school to detect drugs.
STUDENT REPORT - Alexandra spoke of "pot" and heroin use at the high school . Also, there
is a hugh drinking problem at the high school according to Alexandra. Cigarette smoking in the
bathrooms continues to be an issue. Jane will call Frank Orlando about these issue and she will
mention the upcoming dance in October.
GRANTS - Dennis Richards asked Gary Nihan to write the grant for curricula development in
the areas of substance abuse and violence prevention. Approval is imminent for $17,00 grant.
Jane stated that Gary did a fabulous job on this project.
GOALS FOR 2003-2004 - Alexandra suggested programs on binge drinking and designer drugs.
Dale thinks that heroin use is a larger problem. We need to educate ourselves first on the heroin
issues and maybe then hold a program in the spring with a DEA agent on a panel. Binge drinking
program will be planned for November 13 with a police, fire, college representative. Jane will
state the coordination of the program.
MISCELLANEOUS - John Russo (in absentia) wishes to have full-time social worker in
residence at the high school and reinstate the DARE Officer and wants our group to support the
proposal. No action taken on this.
SET CALENDAR FOR 2004 - Third Thursday of each month as follows: {
October 16 March 18.
November 20 April 15
No December May 20
January 15 ( snow January 22) June 17 -
February 12 .
REORGANIZATION OF COUNCIL/ELECTION OF OFFICERS -The following mere
unanimously elected as the new officers: Karyn Storti, Chairman, Sandy Michaud, Vice
Chairman, Bob Brown, secretary. The members of the council wish to sincerely tha Bill
Carrick for his fine work during his tenure as chair of this council.
ADJOURNED - 9:25 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Karyn A. Storti