HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-21 Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council MinutesReading Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council
Minutes- March 21, 2002
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Present: Bill Carrick, Marc Alterio, Leone Sullivan, Robert Brown, Nicole LeBlanc,
Lori Leland, Dale Merrill, John Costigan, Cathy Kosta, Karyn Storti, Jane Fiore (liaison).
Called excused: Bill Griset, Sandy Michaud
Absent: Laurie Arsenault
Meeting called to ordered: 7:40 P.M. by Chairman Bill Carrick
Secretary's Report: Bill Carrick asked the council to review the Minutes of February 7,
2002. The passage of February minutes were tabled until April 25,2002.
Public Input: there was no public input at the meeting.
Old Business:
Publications/correspondence: review of letter from District Attorney General
Office Coakley, Middlesex County regarding Internet safety for young people. The
Council requested copies of Internet Tips for kids be available at the Town Hall and
library. Jane Fiore will order pamphlets. Letter to Selectman from the Council supporting
the DARE program.
Bob brown will assist on Internet updates once program is connected to Town
web page. Chairman expressed a thank you to Bob for this support. The council will
work at advertising the web page once the program is available.
New Business:
Staff evaluation was the next order of business. Jane Fiore was asked to leave the
room to allow the council the opportunity to complete the composite evaluation, which
will be sent to the Town Manager.
Committee Reports:
Evaluation of Drug Free Week:
90 individuals at the Free Family Skate; banner, pamphlets and a few
interesting give a ways (stickers and pamphlets) brought people to the table. Lori Leland,
Bill Carrick and Jane Fiore were at the skate. The program was successful and worth
repeating.
The movie at Coolidge for warm day 22 children watched the movie and 6
middle school peer leaders prepared snacks for intermission. Very positive. If we repeat
increase publicity and have a wide screen. Thanks to Leone Sullivan for all her work and
Kathy Costa for her work with.the peer leaders.
Video with peerleaders. Terrific. Shown on cable and by Bill Carrick's
insistence at the Selectmen's meeting. Great job by Leone and the super star peers. Next
year a video on Parker cable program.
The most important issue learned from this year and past years is there
needs to be a standing committee for Drug Free week.
Student liaison report
Student arrested on school grounds. The students want to know what the
underlining agreement of zero tolerance really means. The bathroom issue continues to
be a problem regarding smoking. The nurse's bathroom is okay but all the others have
issue. It was suggested the council have our next meeting at the high school so everyone
can understand the problem by seeing it.
The last dance was better chaperoned
Peer leadership at the high school is going back to basics with decreasing
numbers and positive trainings. Many of the issues facing the high school will need to be
addressed to meet accreditation.
Police Report
With limited budget many departments are reviewing the use of their staff.
The police department will be reviewing the use of an officer in the DARE program.
There was full committee discussion and a decision was made to write a letter to the
Board of Selectmen regarding the DARE officer and the positive effects of prevention
education.Cathy wanted information if other communities were cutting their DARE
officers and what the curricula was doing to fill the gap. Dale Merrill made a motion to
send the above discussed letter to Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and cc Peter
Hechenbliekner and Chief Robert Silva : The body of the letter will request from the
Council that DARE program be maintained.
During the above discussion Officer Leone excused herself from the
discussion and from any comment verbal or non-verbal.
Motion: The Council will send a letter of support to the Town Manager and Chief
of Police to maintain the DARE program in grade K, 3, 5 and 8. Vote 6,0,2 with 1
abstention. The letter will be sent tomorrow.
School Report
Dr. Brooks program 240 present 42 present for the supper very positive
night. Peer leaders at the high school will have a program on Violence prevention
through Northeastern paid from pregnancy grant. Ounce of Prevention Conference
reviewed survey - students acquiring alcohol 34 % own house, 54 % friend or siblings.
The result was work with the supplier.
Note officers need to be voted on at the June meeting.
Adjourned 10 p.m.
ubmitted
. Jane M. Fiore