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CHECK
OUT this web site for great information to support a
strong, drug-free relationship with your teens: www.thepassagegroup.com
PARTNERSHIP
PERSPECTIVE
DRUG FREE PARTNERSHIP WELCOMES SUPPORT
By
Sandy Gleim, Associate Coordinator
LaPorte
County Drug Free Partnership
Recently I’ve heard or read comments from folks complaining there isn’t anything being done in the county to combat drug and alcohol issues.
Actually, many successful efforts are delivered through justice, prevention, and treatment-focused projects. So the Local Coordinating Council of the LaPorte County Drug Free Partnership will use this column to tell you about that good work – and also invite you to join this worthy fight.
When Lamar Koontz retired in July, Jeane Bock assumed coordination of the LCC (as we’re known in shorthand), and I assist as associate coordinator. Jeane is also a licensed social worker and therapist with Samaritan Counseling Center. I’m also the Executive Director of Healthy Communities of LaPorte County. Due to my “past life” as a reporter and editor, she tapped me to handle our inaugural column.
The Drug Free Partnership membership includes more than 35 agencies and organizations, representing law enforcement, the court system, social service, schools, health care, etc. It’s a passionate group that gathers every month on the first Wednesday, alternating noon meetings between Michigan City and LaPorte.
One of our past accomplishments was working with Roosevelt University to gather data and present statistical reports on drug and alcohol usage in the community, with strategies we could pursue to impact the issues.
The LCC now has been awarded a State Prevention Framework grant, which we refer to as SPF-SIG. We’re again working with Roosevelt to gather even more detailed drug / alcohol usage data in our county, and to develop more strategies to combat problems. We’ll gather all kinds of data, with specific focus on binge drinking for 18-25 year olds.
But we can’t do this work in a vacuum, and we don’t want to. The SPF process requires forming policy, cultural competency, marketing, and other workgroups to enhance this process. To participate, please contact lead Program Director Ameenah Pasha at apas9822@gmail.com. Her program partners are Joe Bunch and Chris Swistek, while Jeane and I oversee the overall project.
That’s a quick overview of recent progress through the Drug Free Partnership. We’ll soon announce results of our annual grant allocations, and share details and insight into those projects, and the SPF-SIG, in coming months.
TOOLS FOR PARENTS:
ALL NEW Alcohol Saliva Test Strips are now available at both Health Departments and JSC for $1 each. They can be a quick means to find out if your teen has been drinking. Key Chain Breathalyzers are only $10 and can be reused countless times with the change of batteries. |
 WHAT
IS THE LAPORTE COUNTY DRUG FREE PARTNERSHIP?
The LaPorte County Drug Free Partnership, formed in 1989,
is one of the 15 counties in the Northwest Region of the Governor’s
Commission for a Drug Free Indiana. All county residents are
directly and indirectly impacted by drug abuse and problem
gambling and are encouraged to become members of the Partnership
to help in solving the resulting social problems.
MISSION STATEMENT
To bring together representatives, organizations, and agencies
both public and private, who seek to provide optimal resources
for the combating of alcohol and other drug abuse in LaPorte
County. To formulate a countywide comprehensive plan, while
evaluating and restructuring to insure its goals are met.
To fund proposed projects and programs by awarding grants
from the local portion of the Drug Free Community Fund.
PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEES
Prevention and Education
This committee gathers and shares information regarding skill
building programs, community or professional mobilization,
and social and environmental change programs for both youth
and adults. Members also work with local youth to plan special
events and gatherings with a substance-free focus.
Justice
The justice committee is concerned with the legality and consequences
of substance abuse and examines law enforcement and prosecutorial
efforts. The committee tracks court disposition of drug and
alcohol related matters, encourages the development of neighborhood
watch programs, OWI patrolling, and pro-active community policing.
Intervention and Treatment
This committee’s efforts are centered on services for
those citizens who are in recovery from problems associated
with addiction and substance abuse. It represents services
which deal with interventions, referral, and assessment, as
well as aftercare and continuum of treatment. The group is
now focusing on locating affordable residential treatment
in our community.
Youth Activities
Organized
in July 2000, middle and high school youth from across the
county are brought together under the guidance of a Youth
Advisor. They plan and develop their own initiatives to
address substance use / abuse by their peers within their
own school populations and are backed and financially supported
by the Partnership.
The Red
Ribbon Campaign
Red
Ribbon is an annual countywide effort to heighten community
awareness and increase education, which takes place each October.
The Partnership encourages business, churches, government,
and all county residents to participate and especially support
our children and youth in increasing awareness and striving
to reduce drug and alcohol abuse in LaPorte County. Small
grants are awarded to fund a variety of activities including
essay and art contests, rallies and other activities designed
for and by our children and teens.
Grant
Funding
Under state law, funding is obtained through court-imposed
fines from alcohol and drug-related offenders. 75% of these
funds are annually awarded back to community individuals and
organizations involved in designing and implementing projects
and services addressing the actions recommended in the County
Plan. Interested applicants should contact the Partnership
for more information regarding obtaining grant funding.
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JOIN
THE PARTNERSHIP!
Meetings
are at noon on the first Wednesday of each month, alternating between
Marquette Mall Office Building in Michigan City and First United
Methodist Church, 1225 Michigan Avenue, in LaPorte.
Upcoming meetings are October 1 in Michigan City; November 5 in LaPorte; and December 3 in Michigan City.
For
more information:
LaPorte County Drug Free Partnership
P.O. Box 8750 Michigan City, IN, 46360
Phone 219-363-9550
MEMBER
AGENCIES
Afternoons
ROCK
Boys
& Girls Club
CASA
Figment
Group
Full
Circle Center
LP
Community Corrections
Dunebrook
HOPE
Indiana State Excise Police
Indiana State Police
Healthy Communities of LaPorte County
Images
Juvenile Service Center
LaPorte County Schools
LaPorte City Police Dept.
LaPorte Community Schools
LaPorte Community Corrections
LaPorte County Circuit
Court
LaPorte County Metro Operations
LaPorte Sheriff’s Dept.
LaPorte
YMCA
LaPorte
Hospital Stress Center
LaSalle
Boy Scout Council
Michigan City Police Dept.
Michigan City Schools
Minority
Health Coalition
Madison
Center
New
Prairie Schools
NOPE
NW
Office Governor's
Commission
Open Door Adolescent Health Center
Pathway Family Center
Purdue
North Central
READ
LaPorte County
Triad
Singing Sands Girl Scout Council
St. Joseph Catholic School
Stepping
Stone Women's Shelter
Superior Courts # 1, # 3 and # 4
Support Our Youth
Swanson Center
Teen Court LaPorte and Michigan City
Voyagers
Westville
Schools
Westville
Police
YANA
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