Reemergence of substance abuse issues, specifically heroin, may come as a surprise, like old news, something that happened last summer. As the Northfield News reports, this is not old news for some, but an ongoing struggle with substance use. Some people continue to face challenges related to theirs or someone else’s drug/alcohol daily.
What’s being done to change the situation? Since and BEFORE last July, the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition has been actively working to reduce and prevent youth alcohol and other drug use. Coalition partners include all local law enforcement agencies, school districts, healthcare providers, county agencies, local colleges and other organizations. The Coalition, comprised of several action teams including the Northfield Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use, continues to employ strategies to help young people lead healthy lives.
Notable examples of Coalition work:
- Adolescent treatment groups provide accessible local treatment and aftercare services.
- Alcohol sales ordinances developed for Rice County based on best practices; similar ordinances recommended to County cities.
- The Zero Alcohol Providers law enforcement project identifies and prosecutes adults who provide alcohol to minors.
- Compliance checks by law enforcement hold alcohol sellers accountable for legal sales. The Northfield Police Department recognized businesses that passed compliance checks.
- A locally-produced DVD will be disseminated in early fall. Spearheaded by the Rice County Sheriff’s Office, the DVD offers adults information about youth drug use.
- Providing opioid withdrawal medication locally in order to better support recovery efforts of community members.
- Efforts to address misuse and disposal of prescription medications with plans to implement education and disposal efforts locally.
- Alcohol awareness trainings provided in cooperation with South Central College for alcohol servers and license holders. Fifty-one alcohol servers have been trained in the past year.
- A parent meeting provides opportunities for parents whose children have addiction issues to support each other and discuss experiences.
- Coalition members provide training sessions for health care providers to help identify and respond to substance abuse among their patients.
- Schools are instrumental in data gathering about youth behaviors, knowledge and attitudes via surveys. Increased time for an alcohol/drug counselor in Northfield schools provides services to struggling students, families and teachers. Northfield Schools hosted “After the Headlines,” designed to continue community conversations on this topic. Curriculum review and piloting the DARE program have been school efforts.
- Media efforts include posters, flyers and mailer aimed at parents. Messages support parents’ efforts to talk about alcohol/drug use. Local coffee shops provide opportunities to use conversation-starters supplied by the Coalition.
- A resource directory addressing substance use prevention, intervention and treatment services is available at http://www.northfieldhci.org/chemhealthdir/chemhealthhome.shtml in both Spanish and English.
Over the past year, the Northfield Union of Youth/The Key was instrumental organizing and fostering dialogue between youth and adults. Leaders from The Key have repeatedly demonstrated compassion and keen insights.
Much work has been done and more people are involved, but there is much more to do and the Coalition needs your help.
If you have questions or want to get involved, please contact the Coalition:
507.664.3524
info@northfieldhci.org
507.333-6813
ksandberg@faribault.k12.mn.us
