Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Meeting Minutes
Present: Carolyn Anderson, Bobbi Ayott(bayott@nmu.edu), Annette Doren (adoren@charterinternet.com), Gary Ebrecht(gebrecht!nmu.edu), Sarah Fogaroli (sfogaroli74@lsswis.org), James Gallant(friends_of_the_children@yahoo.com),
Sue Girard-Jackson (sgirardjackson@mqtcty.org), Jim Harrington
(jharrington@mqtcty.org), Jon Hartwig(jhartwig@mapsnet.org), Shawn Hatch
(shatch@mgh.org), Josh Hechtman (jhechtman@mqtcty.org), Monika Jenczala
(monika@bbbsmqt.org), Daniel Maas (drmaas@bellmi.org), Paul Olson
(polson@glyd.org), Shelley Ovink (sovink@lsswis.org), George Sedlacek
(gsedlacek@mqtcty.org), Lenny Shible (lshible@nmu.edu), Karen Twa
(kltwa@mgh.org), Kelly Zambon(kzambon@cfsup.org)
I. Introductions – Jim Harrington
Jim welcomed everyone and introductions were made.
He distributed the Edward J. Sloan Prevention Services Award nomination form and a flier about the 15th Annual Parenting Awareness Michigan Conferences and 2007 Parenting Awareness Month Kickoffs. The Marquette Kickoff will be October 17 with Kippi Clausen, Mile High United Way from Denver, Colorado, as the keynote speaker.
II. Purpose – Merillee Keller
The SPF-SIG (Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant) requires a regional needs assessment be completed in Phase 1. It is a data driven Needs Assessment from MDCH Office of Drug Control Policy. Phase 2 will provide communities funding for direct services from the assessment. We can partner with each other to decide what we need and where we should go from here.
The first step will be gathering information about substance abuse services in Marquette County.
III. The process thus far - George Sedlacek
George presented a history of substance abuse. Substance abuse has always been with us. 60% of our population is either low risk or abstinent. We’re moving in a positive direction.
IV. Presentation of Data Picture – Martha Parks
Martha compared youth and adult use rates in the Eastern UP counties’ PSF-SIG substance abuse information from 2003-2005 with Marquette County’s. Youth alcohol use has gone down. Our binge drinking and heavy drinking rates are still higher than state averages.
V. Questions/Discussion – Karen Dubow
Karen said the community tradition needs to change. We need to limit alcohol consumption because our rates are higher in general than state averages. Our students are starting to drink at a younger age. It was suggested putting some of the survey results in the Mining Journal. There needs to be more funding for treatment.
Factors were listed which add to the problem such as homelessness, youth lack of positive alternatives, treatment % quite low, inheritable disorder, growing up in a substance abusing home, lack of a local system of easily alternative portable transportation, developmental disabilities, mental illness, and self medication.
Some agencies that offer substance abuse programs are: MGH offers Prime for Life to underage youth with high risks, Juvenile Court handles the MIP offenders, the Secretary of State has a delay of getting your license option, and the Sheriff’s Department has a patrol grant of $60,000 for youth and adults.
In Marquette County, it’s no longer culturally acceptable to drink and drive. There have been lessons learned in Marquette County. We would like to have more prevention with additional evidence based treatment services toward the adolescent population. There should be linkages between programs so we could use funding more effectively. Any comments relating to any issue or data heard are welcomed.
VI. Wrap-up
The Key Leader survey needs to be completed and sent in to Jim Harrington. It will be also sent to all MC2 Coalition members in the next mailing.
VII. What comes next?
Information and work will come back to the MC2 coalition.
Jim will email the activity report.
VIII. Adjournment
The mission of the Marquette County Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Coalition is to facilitate community participation in the prevention of violence and problems associated with alcohol and other drugs.
www.upprevent.org
If you would like to receive the minutes for the Coalition meetings by e-mail versus mail, please e-mail Jim Harrington at jharrington@mqtcty.org