Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-18 Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council Minutest~EIVED Reading.Substance Abuse Advisory Council [ O', CLERK Minutes RE-ADI G. MASS. January 18, 2001 2001 MAR fib A It: 31 Present: Bill Carrick, Sandy Michaud, Cathy Kosta, Mike Hanifan, Lori Leland, Jane Fadden, Marc Alterio, Bill Griset, Dale Merrill, Amy Rosenblatt, Jane Fiore, Called, Excused: Leone Sullivan, John Costigan Meeting called to order: 7:35 P.M. by chairman Bill Carrick. It was noted that there are currently three openings on the Council. A fourth opening may become available as one member is expected to resign in the near future. It was also noted that the council is missing a senior citizen representative. Secretary's Report: Sandy Michaud asked the council to review the minutes of November 30, 2000. The minutes of October 19, 2000 were approved as written 7-0-2. Public Input: There was no public input at the meeting. Video Discussion: There was discussion regarding the video .Ecstasy: When the Party's Over, which was shown prior to the start of the meeting. The general consensus of those members who viewed the video was that it had good information on Ecstasy. However, in a couple of parts the information given to help those under the influence of the drug could be misconstrued as a "how-to" guide. It was discussed if the video should be shown on RCTV or at the library at a Council sponsored event. The discussion was tabled until New Business. Old Business: Publications: Bill Carrick reported that there was little progress on the article about Ecstasy but that he is still working on it. Mike Hanifan brought in copies of the RMHS Orbit for the Council. The possibility of submitting to the Orbit some kind of "quick read" information about the risks involved with using drugs and/or alcohol plus a list of resources for help and information was discussed. Legislative Update - BR5137: HR5137 is on hold, as it did not pass in the last congressional session. An interesting website on social action issues is www.cspinet.org. Police Re ort: Leone Sullivan was out with the flu. Birch Meadow is the next elementary school to have the DARE program. School Report: Marc Alterio reported that he received his grant entitled "Getting to the Families! Part H A Community Health and Wellness Approach to Teen Pregnancy".from the Department of Public Health Teen Challenge: Fund. He will receive $20,000 January to June 2001 and an additional $20,000 September 2001 to June 2002. Reading was the only school system in the state to receive this grant. The grant will fund Health and Wellness seminars similar to those offered last spring. In conjunction with the elementary school PTOs there will be three evening speakers from Families First aimed at elementary parents. In March there will be three speakers aimed at middle school parents and in April a series aimed at high school parents. The grant will also support a 9~hGrade Decisions speaker series, an Alcohol and Substance Abuse workshop at the high school before the junior prom, and Saturday diversions in May on conflict resolution. Marc has the Health and Wellness website up and running. It has information on school side programs, the state Health Curriculum Frameworks, a nurse's corner, a kid's corner, and links to other Reading websites. In addition, a Health and Wellness newsletter will be mailed to every household in Reading and North Reading. Marc reported that 87 out of approximately 1585 students opted out of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. 1 parent asked to see the survey at the high school and at Parker, no parents requested to see the survey at Coolidge. There was a problem with the mailing of the letter about the survey to Parker parents. Therefore, there were two more mailings (the last time as stamped, not metered mail) to be sure it was sent out properly. The administration of the survey at Parker was then delayed to insure that all parents had an opportunity to examine the survey if desired and make an informed decision about their children's -participation. Health Dept. Report: Jane Fiore reported that she has applied for a $2,500 grant to fund the Violence Prevention conference on May 6that Parker. Barbara Hilt will present an all day workshop on non-violent behavior entitled "Peaceable Communities". She did a shorter workshop last year and it was the one most enjoyed by the conference attendees. It is necessary to apply for a grant to fund the conference this year due to the budget cut that we suffered for the current year. We did lose grant money as a result of not doing the Youth Risk Behavior Survey last year. Student Liason Report: The Peer Mentors (Leadership) program at the high school is doing mentoring at both the middle schools and this is going well. There will be a panel training on "Ecstasy and Designer Drugs" on February .28, 2001. New Business: Community Program(s) for Drug Free Week: Dale Merrill made a motion, seconded by Marc Alterio and Cathy Kosta that "the council sponsor an Open Community Forum at which the community is welcome to a forum on Ecstasy and designer drugs with informed, experienced professionals from law enforcement, addiction counseling, and the school department available for questions .on March 6, 2001 at the public library from S to 10 P.M. with coffee and refreshments served". The motion passed 10-0-0. The video Ecstasy: Lichen the .Party's Over " will be shown at the beginning of the forum to get the discussion going. Dale Merrill will film the event for viewing on RCTV. Jane Fiore will talk to DA Coakley and MGH ER nurses and see whom she can get for the forum. Jane Fadden will ask the Reading Clergy Association to publicize the event. Mike Hanifan will look into getting the YMCA again this year for a free family swim. He will. check on availability on March 3, 4, or 10, 2001. Tickets will be distributed at the Health Department. Jane Fiore will look into getting us the Burbank Arena for a free Family Skate night on Sunday March 11, 2001. A Game Board Marathon Evening was proposed for Friday, March 9, 2001 from 7 - 9 P.M- Marc Alterio will look into getting the Coolidge Middle School Multi-Purpose Room and a popcorn machine. Cathy Kosta will look into getting water to serve with the popcorn. Lori Leland will look into getting some games donated by local business. Otherwise, it will be bring your own game for a fun community, family evening. Jane Fiore will work on producing four flyers advertising the events of Drug Free Week. Sandy Michaud will write an article to send to the local papers about the events during Drug Free Week. Adjournment: Sandy Michaud,.seconded by Marc Alterio, made -a motion to adj ourn. The motion passed 9-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Sandy chaud