Municipal Drug Strategy Network... "We can make a difference"
Posted Feb 25, 2010 By Tara Gesner
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Tweet ThisEMC News - It was merely an idea last year - a Municipal Drug Strategy Network (MDSN) for Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls that would address alcohol and other drug problems by way of communication and collaboration across the four pillars of prevention, enforcement, harm reduction and treatment. Today, thanks to a working group of concerned, community-minded individuals, it is a flourishing reality.
On Friday, Feb. 5, the MDSN held its second meeting at the Beckwith Municipal Office, with close to 60 people in attendance. The point of the half-day session - provide network members with information, resources and educational presentations based on evidence and best practices.
Participants, who included municipal leaders from Beckwith, Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills, heard from a handful of organizations, including Alwood Treatment Centre, Tri County Addictions Services and Youth Action Kommittee (YAK).
The vision of the MDSN: A healthy community free from alcohol and drug misuse/abuse.
According to statistics provided by way of local social agencies, adult heavy drinking and youth heavy drinking in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark is higher than the provincial average.
Five drinks or more is the definition of heavy drinking or risky drinking. The proportion of people 20 years and older who reported consuming five or more drinks on at least one occasion in the previous 12 months is 50 per cent.
In Ontario it is 37 per cent. For youth it is 35 per cent in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, 25 per cent for Ontario.
The objectives of the MDSN:
- Provide knowledge of local community strengths and needs.
- Plan, implement and evaluate prevention programs or activities that support the four pillars.
- Raise public awareness about alcohol and other substance use issues, how to avoid problems, and how to access help if needed.
MDSN Steering Committee member Lucia Taggart (Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit) is "thrilled" with the response to date from supporters.
"It's awesome," she said. "The Steering Committee is very happy to see so much community support. We have a good mix of people coming out to the meetings. A lot of people want to see the initiative go."
One such supporter: YAK, which provides youth with valuable experiences of personal development, opportunities for spontaneous socialization, and exposure to the benefits of positive role models.
A guest speaker on Feb. 5, Sara Hammel, coordinator of the Skills Link Program, said "Engaging youth in the community is the biggest thing we do."
YAK, open to youth between the ages of 12 and 18, provides a number of quality programs and activities.
"We offer a sport and recreation program, music and the arts program, food and dinner program and more," said Hammel.
Other programs include Addictions and Substance Use Awareness, Youth in Action, Social Development, Youth Engagement and Leadership, Crisis Support and Referral, and Homeless Youth Support.
She said the Homework Support Program is designed to provide homework help and peer tutoring, and makes computers available to those who do not have a computer at home.
Hammel believes it's important for organizations to be involved in the MDSN because substance abuse is "an important issue that must be addressed.
"By helping our youth, we are helping the community," she said.
However, she was quick to add that substance abuse is not just a youth issue.
Another initiative of YAK, the Skills Link Program promotes positive personal choices and social responsibility, while highlighting solution-focused problem solving, responsible decision-making, and the importance of considering how one's behaviour impacts self and others.
Hammel said that the program is six and a half months and runs 35 hours per week (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). To take part in Skills Link, participants must not be in school, be between the ages of 16 and 24, and be unemployed.
MDSN Steering Committee member and Beckwith Township Reeve Richard Kidd would like to see each of the eight municipalities of Lanark County (Beckwith, Carleton Place, Drummond/North Elmsley, Lanark Highlands, Mississippi Mills, Montague, Perth and Tay Valley), as well as Smiths Falls establish a Municipal Drug Strategy Committee.
"This is a growing problem," he said.
According to Taggart, "Confirmation has been received from Beckwith, Carleton Place, Lanark, Mississippi Mills and Tay Valley." "We are still waiting to hear from Drummond/North Elmsley, Perth and Smiths Falls."
She said that Tay Valley has discussed the possibility of joining forces with Perth.
Two more MDSN meetings are planned. The next will be held May 14 in Lanark, with a topic of 'Harm Reduction'. The hope of the Steering Committee is to rotate meeting locations within the County, with the final session to take place in the Fall.
For more information, contact Taggart: lucia.taggart@healthunit.org or 613-283-2740.
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