How did this happen? What can we do? Are others dealing with the same issues? These are common questions when a loved one struggles with alcohol or other drug use. Not only is the individual using chemicals affected, but also friends, family and the whole community. Dealing with alcohol/drug use is a challenging journey; support is needed at every step of the way. Two new support groups are meeting in Northfield to help address the needs of area youth and families struggling with chemical health issues.

• A 12-step group has been formed by two young adult Northfielders to provide peer support for youth ages 15 and up who are in recovery or struggling with chemical use. Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 pm.
• For parents dealing with the painful challenges of chemical use by their children, a parent support group is meeting on the first Tuesday each month at 7:30 pm.

Both groups are hosted at Omada Behavioral Health Services, 401 Division Street (Central Block Building-second floor). Yvette Marthaler from Rice County Social Services and Sarah Shippy from Omada are present at the meetings to provide support. There is no cost for either group, reservations are not required, and confidentiality is maintained. For further information, call Rice County Family Services Collaborative (507-333-6813) or Omada Behavioral Health Services (507-664-9407).

Communities across the nation face issues surrounding youth alcohol and drug use. There are a range of stages to address starting with prevention. For those who are already using, intervention, treatment, and aftercare services are needed. As with other complex challenges, individual and community solutions require multiple approaches. In Northfield and Rice County there are various programs and services available to address all the stages.

Prevention of chemical use is the main goal, of course. Essential for each of our youth are nurturing parents, families, schools in partnership with youth service providers and others. Numerous efforts are under way locally including:

• Messages to parents helping them talk with their children starting at an early age about chemical use as well as many other risky behaviors.
• Youth services engaging children of all ages in safe, healthy activities.
• Messages to youth alerting them that contrary to perception, the majority of their peers are not using chemical substances.

In spite of the best prevention efforts, some youth do begin using drugs or alcohol. Recognition of the problem and intervention then become vital. Available resources such as healthcare providers, law enforcement, and others can help intervene in risky behavior.

Treatment services are available in and near Northfield. This includes the new service at Northfield Hospital for those addicted to opiates, prescription painkillers, and heroin.

Maintaining recovery is a difficult challenge; support and encouragement are essential. Everyone can be supportive by acknowledging that use of and addiction to alcohol and drugs is a community as well as an individual concern and requires community solutions.

Work is being done on many fronts to make our community a safe, healthy place for youth and adults.

To learn more about services available in our community or to become involved, visit the Rice County Chemical Health Resource Directory at www.northfieldhci.org. or call the Healthy Community Initiative (507-664-3524).

This article was submitted by Joan Janusz on behalf of the Northfield Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use.