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Community Problem Community Solution. Underage Drinking: It’s Everybody’s Problem. Community Problem. Several incidents within the Lake Shore school-community brought concern and awareness to a growing problem of students participating in risky behaviors:
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Community ProblemCommunity Solution Underage Drinking: It’s Everybody’s Problem
Community Problem • Several incidents within the Lake Shore school-community brought concern and awareness to a growing problem of students participating in risky behaviors: • Minors found in possession of large amounts of alcohol • Large underage parties with alcohol and drugs resulting in law enforcement involvement and students losing privileges at school • Several episodes of risky behavior resulting in personal injuries; including a fatality
Community Problem • The School is viewed as the binding agent and the authority to take action within the community • The Board of Education was approached by the mother of a student who fell off of a balcony at an underage drinking party. • Wanted the school district to get involved in a solution.
A mother’s mission… Janice Struebel Mathew Struebel
Community Problem • The School-Community said, “Enough is Enough!!!” • We needed to move from reaction to prevention • A grass roots group was formed: • Parents • Representatives from law enforcement • School board members • Members of the community • Citizens for Responsible Choices or “CRC” was officially formed.
Community Solution • As we recognized the disconnect between the prevention message and our parents, The CRC proposed an innovative idea to the School District. • The idea was risky and bold • Only attempted at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona.
Community Solution • Initiative Requirements: • Support from the High School Administration • Support from the District Office • Support from the Board of Education. • Initiative Partnerships: • Lake Shore Central School District • Western New York United Against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse • Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse • Town of Evans Police Department • Citizens for Responsible Choices.
Community Solution • Parent Drug and Alcohol Awareness Seminars were formed: • Parent attendance is required in order to allow student(s) to attend school dances. • Attend only once during four years of high school. • Attend only one seminar for multiple students.
Community Solution • Purposes of the 90 minute Prevention Seminar is to increase parent’s knowledge of: • Legal implications of underage drinking and drug use (including consequences for hosting parties) • Signs and symptoms of abuse • Recognizing drugs and drug paraphernalia • Potential health risks associated with short term and long term abuse • Partnering with the school to keep our youth of our community safe
Community Solution • Format of each seminar: • Introduction of Program (District Administration) • Video on risks and influence (WNYUADAA • Drug and Drug Paraphernalia Presentation (ECCPASA) • Legal Overview (Town of Evans Police Department) • Question and Answer Session • Evaluation
Community Solution • Positive Reactions: • Sally Yageric from Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse • Paraphernalia Show and Tell, including items such as: • Pipes (Lip Stick, Cap Stick, Highlighters and Tin Foil) • Toilet Paper Rolls and dryer sheets • Flip Flops and Cell Phone Flasks • Water Bottle Stash Containers • Energy Drinks and Caffeine Shots • This part of the presentation really wakes parents up and raises their level of awareness.
Community Solution • Where are we today? • Began in the 2006-07 school year with six presentations for two dances. • Continued in the 2007-08 school year with five presentations at the High School level for five dances. • Added an annual Spring Middle School program for 8th grade parents. • Currently 90 percent of all high school parents have attended at least one of the seminars.
Community Solution • Sally Yageric made a profound statement: • In all of my years of presenting this important information, I was never able to reach the amount of parents that I have been able to reach through these seminars.
Community Solution • Feedback from parents before they experienced the seminar: • “Why do we have to do this?” • “You are holding our kids hostage”. • “This is the dumbest decision you have ever made”.
Community Solution • Feedback from parents while they were experiencing the seminar: • “Wow”! • “Why are companies allowed to sell this stuff” • “We never knew” • “This is scary”. • “The teachers need to hear this stuff”.
Community Solution • Feedback from parents after they experienced the seminar: • Do you believe the topics covered were relevant and helpful? • 98.7% Yes • 1.3% No • Are there other things you would like to see included? • 87% Yes • Suggestions: Where parents can get help. Behavior Traits to look for in kids. Kids and Sex Over-the-counter drugs
Community Solution • Feedback from parents after they experienced the seminar (continued): • Was the information given by the presenter interesting and well prepared? • 99.1% Yes • Were your questions and concerns answered to your satisfaction? • 99.5% Yes • Would you recommend this forum to other parents? • 97.5% Yes
Community Solution • Feedback from parents after they experienced the seminar (continued): • I am very happy, because it gave me a wakeup • Helped me understand what is going on • I was surprised by what was said • I learned new things to watch out for • Now I know what to look for in the home • We need to know these things as parents • Parenting is a life long commitment • This topic relies on parenting at home and developing responsible individuals
Why Collaborate? • There is widespread consensus, proven in research, that family engagement is a critical ingredient for children’s school success “from cradle to career.” • More importantly, establishing relationships is a critical ingredient for children’s life success.
More to come… • Comprehensive School Counseling Program • Family Support Center • Freshman Academy • Boys and Girls Club of Lake Shore • Western New York United Against Drugs and Alcohol at Elementary and Middle School • Preventionfocus Programs at High School
Community Problem Community Solution