Medication Disposal

The Mayor’s Task Force coordinated the launch of the “Take it to The Box” medication program in 2010.  Permanent disposal boxes were installed in the lobbies of the Northfield and Faribault Police stations.  Community members can now dispose of unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

During the program’s first eight months, more that 1,800 pounds of medication were collected.  In addition,  local partners hosted a statewide forum in Northfield with representatives from 43 other communities to explain the “Take It to the Box” model and to share ideas and resources.

Targeted Parent Mailings

The Task Force distributes ongoing mailings to encourage and support parents as they help their children make healthy choices.  Postcards and letters are mailed for special events such as prom, graduation, and school breaks.

Court Monitoring

The MTF engages in on-going court monitoring to reinforce the serious legal consequences for adults who provide alcohol to youth.  Other drug-related cases are also monitored.  MTF members address the court by reading a victim impact statement about the effects of these crimes on the community.  Member’s reach out and offer support to the families of both victims and offenders.

Communication

MTF communication efforts help inform and education our community on many levels.  A newspaper column is published monthly.  KYMN Radio interviews, displays, mailings, public speaking engagements, newsletters, and more are used regularly to communicate our message.  Productive relationships have been built with communication partners,  including the local media.

School Activities Support

The Mayor’s Task Force helped to sponsor the “Pure Performance” program with the Northfield High School Activities Office this year.  The program educates athletes and parents about the impact of alcohol and/or drug use on athletic performance.  The Task Force continues to support the ongoing implementation of this project.

MOST Campaign

The “MOST Northfield Students” campaign highlights the differences between the reality and perception of student behaviors.  MTF survey data indicates students often over-predict the percentage of their peers who engage in risky behaviors.  Our goal is to correct student misperceptions regarding their peers’ drug and alcohol use.  Our goal is to correct student misperceptions, which helps to reduce youth drug and alcohol use, and provides support for students recovering from addiction.

Task Force Members, in partnership with Northfield and Faribault Middle School staff,  are running a high-energy, thought-provoking campaign.  Messages and images are pilot-tested with youth, with a new “message” introduced every three weeks by way of posters,  T-shirts, promotional items, and other activities.  About half of the campaign messages relate directly to drug and alcohol use.  The rest of the messages highlight positive protective factors that are vital to a healthy community for our youth.

.Town Hall Meetings

The Task Force has partnered with community entities (including the local colleges and the Main Street Moravian Church) to host a number of forums on topics related to youth drug and alcohol abuse.  Recent town hall meetings have emphasized themes including: law enforcement’s response to youth drug and alcohol use; underage drinking among local college students; community support for individuals in recovery; and ways to increase activities and resources for middle school youth.

Open to the community, the forums have typically included a panel presentation, with time for questions and answers and discussion of action plans.

Parent Resource and Telephone Directory

The Mayor’s Task Force is partnering with the Northfield Public Schools and the Healthy Community Initiative on student telephone directories at the middle and high school levels.  These resources provide parents with telephone numbers of other parent/guardians, allowing them to remain in contact.  New this year,  the directories will also contain additional parent education materials and other important local telephone numbers.

Halfway House

The Mayor’s Task Force has endorsed local efforts to bring a halfway house to Northfield for women in recovery.  The Task Force has pledged to assist with community education efforts and with recruiting community volunteers/resources to help with house set up-up.

Alcohol Sales Procedure and Local Policies

The Mayor’s Task Force researches policy and recommends changes (if needed) around alcohol sales and efforts to reduce the abuse of alcohol by youth.  This includes supporting local efforts to implement compliance checks of alcohol vendors.  Other areas of interest include: licensing issues; training requirements for alcohol servers and sales staff; consequences for providing alcohol to minors or hosting gatherings where underage youth have access to alcohol; and follow-through for those charged with selling alcohol to minors.

Talk, Listen, Connect

The Mayor’s Task Force has launched a parent education and support initiative designed to encourage parents to TALK with their children about drug and alcohol use, LISTEN to their children and engage them in conversation, and CONNECT with parents of their child’s friends.

Parent resource packets are distributed at parent events in the local schools, as well as at community gatherings.

Talking Points Campaign

The Mayor’s Task Force distributes a key ring with over 50 questions in English and Spanish for parents to use in triggering conversations with their children.

Identifying Needs & Services

By gathering survey and evaluation data, the MTF remains responsive to prevention and intervention needs of youth and families.  Yearly surveys of youth help us to know and address alcohol and drug problems.  Survey data from community members and parents also provide valuable direction.

Buprenorphine Advocacy

The Mayor’s Task Force has worked to help advocate for and support the presence of a physician licensed to administer Buprenorphine in the community.  This medication is effective in helping those trying to stop using heroin and opiod drugs.  The Mayor’s Task Force endorses  and helps promote the Opiod Agonist Therapy Clinic at Northfield Hospital.