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LEADERSHIP COUNCILSome twenty key community leaders comprise the Coalition’s Leadership Council, which is a substance abuse prevention “think-tank” focused on pinpointing local problems and unmet needs, and then identifying community resources which may be able to be part of the solution. Depending upon the type of need, the information is either assigned to a Community Action Team or pursued by the Coalition itself. The Leadership Council meets four times a year. In 2008 this Coalition will focus on underage alcohol use, including the following issues: Need to raise parental understanding of the dangers of underage alcohol consumption. Need to inform parents that serving alcohol to minors at home parties is illegal and that those who choose to do this are subject to prosecution. Need for beer keg registration to allow law enforcement to identify the adult purchaser of beer kegs found at teen keg parties. Need for vigilance in requiring proof of age for purchases of alcohol at self-check-out stores. Need for state legislators to be aware of inequities of funding for local substance abuse treatment services. Need for youth involvement in Drug House Odyssey.
COMMUNITY ACTION TEAMS Community Action Teams (CAT’s) are groups of volunteers who take on one specific task related to substance abuse prevention. Under the guidance of Coalition staff, CAT’s take action to meet the unmet need. CAT’s meet monthly/as needed to complete the task, usually for a 3-6 month period of time. The needs identified by the 2008 Leadership Council, above, were assigned to CAT’s or Coalition staff and took the form of the following: Public speaking to parent groups and the general public about the legal consequences of serving alcohol to minors. Media campaign to raise public awareness of need to be vigilant in checking age for alcohol sales at self-check-out stores. Campaign to raise public and legislative awareness of inequities in state funding of local substance abuse treatment services. Promotion of an anonymous on-line alcohol use assessment tool (“Is my drinking risky?”) Grassroots campaign to raise awareness for need to register beer keg sales to reduce access. School system involvement in recruiting 66 students on the Drug House Odyssey Youth Team.
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