| Task force continues to focus on marijuana, bullies and behavior
EAST PROVIDENCE The East Providence Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force has received $468,000 in federal funding to pursue additional youth- and adult-directed programs in the city, focusing both on prevention and intervention. Under a Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentives Grant (SPF-SIG), the three-year plan provides for programs geared toward prevention and reduced progression of substance abuse, reduction of substance-related problems in the community, and an increase in staffing to support these goals. Following an initial six-month needs assessment period, the SPF-SIG grant, known as a comprehensive grant, will target underage drinking, drinking and driving, and marijuana and illicit substance use in East Providence. According to task force co-director Jennifer Wall, "marijuana keeps coming out as (the city's) drug of choice," and an upcoming media campaign focused on both drugs and alcohol will target middle school students.
Trooper of the year pursues drunken drivers
FARMINGTON -- Lisa Steed seems to have a radar for bad drivers. The Utah Highway Patrol officer has made more than 200 alcohol-related arrests this year. In her five-year career, Steed has apprehended more than 750 people suspected of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. "She's a great asset for the citizens of Utah to have working on the highway patrol," her supervisor, Sgt. Shane Nordfelt, said. And now Steed has been honored as trooper of the year, the first woman to get the award. It comes from the UHP's Honorary Colonels, a group of influential Utahns. Nordfelt said the award is for outstanding police work and a community-based approach to public service. He calls Steed a "little ball of fire and energy." "She works well with the public.
Drugs, alcohol top Placerville worries, survey finds
Drug and alcohol abuse were ranked as the most serious law enforcement problems by Placerville residents who responded to a recent community survey conducted by the city Police Department. Police Chief George Nielsen, reporting on the results during Tuesday's City Council meeting, said approximately 3,200 surveys were distributed to residences and businesses with city utility bills during the summer. He said 389, or 12 percent, of the surveys were returned. About 23 percent of those responding said they had used police services, and of that group, an average of 69 percent rated the services as excellent or good, Nielsen said, while 31 percent said they were fair or poor. .
The oasis in a storm
Where does one turn after emerging from years of addiction only to discover that their true self has long been forgotten? The Sea to Sky Community Services recovery house, Awakenings, can provide answers, according to alcohol and drug program supervisor for Sea to Sky Community Services, John Flaherty. "It's an opportunity to really grow in their own self-development, self-confidence, self-esteem and to open up doors of opportunity that probably prior to this time didn't even know existed," said Flaherty. "It's an absolutely beautiful thing to watch someone literally come back to life." The six-bed addictions recovery house, located in the Garibaldi Highlands rectory of St. John's Anglican Church, falls under the Sea to Sky Community Services mandate to help addicted individuals determined to get their lives back on track.
My View — Alcohol abuse is a problem of our own creation
There has been a great amount of recent attention given to alcohol abuse. Much of this has been spurred by what appears to be the alcohol-induced death of a young woman celebrating her 21st birthday, and by the discussion surrounding a proposed Mankato law that would make it illegal to provide a venue for underage drinking. What both of these issues have in common is the persistent lack of accountability by many people, friends, relatives, groups, businesses and community. .
More than just artwork at CLC's annual sale
Some exhibitors who show their artwork at the College of Lake County art sale, which starts Saturday, may attract buyers not only for their beautiful work but the stories of the artists. Among the new artists will be a group of women from a program at the Northern Illinois council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse called Women of Worth. These women, who are in treatment and recovery programs at Nicasa, make the jewelry using Kazuri beads from Kenya, said Christina Rasmussen, community exhibits center assistant. Kazuri means "small and beautiful" in Swahili. The handmade beads are created outside of Nairobi on a former coffee plantation by women who often are the sole providers for their families. The workshop enables women to find a way out of living in poverty, Rasmussen said.
High school opts out of statewide Dramafest
A decision by Barrington High School not to participate this year in an annual competitive statewide drama festival held each spring (known as Dramafest) has ignited a debate about theater arts programs in town. At one level, the debate questions the value of competition in theater and the benefits of learning about theater by participation in live productions and performances. At another level, however, lies a concern about the community's support for activities, both at and away from school, that students engage in. Tanja Kubas-Meyer, the mother of one student involved in local theater, expressed her worry by citing the recent death of a teen in town. "Given the concerns in town about youth alcohol and drug use, our local government, including the school department, should be doing everything possible to support students and adult mentors in positive activities such as theater," Ms.
Mike Tyson sentenced on drug charge
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson could have faced 4.3 years in prison for a felony drug possession and misdemeanor DUI conviction stemming from an incident in Scottsdale on Dec. 29. But the former world�s most feared boxer was sentenced in Maricopa County Superior Court to three years of probation on both charges Monday morning. He was ordered not to drink alcohol for three years, and he will spend one day in jail. He was also fined $3,600 and will have to complete 360 hours of community service. Tyson, 41, who was wearing a gray-striped dress suit with a purple tie and tweed hat as he left court, will begin serving his 24-hour jail sentence this morning. He pleaded guilty to the charges in September. Tyson, formerly of Paradise Valley, was arrested about 2 a.m. Dec. 29 in Scottsdale by a Buckeye officer working a holiday drunken-driving enforcement operation.
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