Advocacy for Creating a Drug-Free Community

The 2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey (MAS) conducted by the Maryland State Department of Education and released on October 26, 2005, provided a wake-up call about the prevalence and acceptability of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse among youth in Talbot County. In the spring of 2006 the Talbot County Council appointed 15 leaders representing a cross-section of the community to a panel known as the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC). The BRC was tasked with reviewing data on high local rates of substance abuse, and recommending a community-wide plan of action for reducing those rates.

The BRC data analysis led the Commission to conclude that "Talbot County has a growing substance abuse and addictions problem" not limited to its youth. The BRC identified three root causes for the substance abuse problem: 1) our community culture accepts substance abuse; 2) interventions for substance abuse occur too late; and 3) drugs and alcohol are too easy to obtain at home and in the community.

From January to May of 2007, key stakeholders from education, health and human services, law enforcement, the judicial system, business, the Liquor Board, media and recreation met with the BRC to answer questions and present suggestions.

Interventions, Action Plans and Evaluation Plans

The Commission developed a list of 34 interventions to address the root causes and selected thirteen interventions, each with expected short, medium, and long-range results, with which to begin. In addition to the prioritized interventions, the BRC recommended: 1) developing an annual Community Report Card on substance abuse; 2) gathering additional data on youth behavior; and 3) advocating on a state-wide basis for three types of policy changes: a) suspending, revoking or delaying drivers' licenses as a consequence of underage drinking or drug abuse; b) informing schools of youth substance abuse violations; and c) raising state alcohol taxes.

Sustainability

The BRC Action Plan spreads responsibilities across various segments of the community. The plan has financial commitment from the Talbot Family Network and the Talbot Partnership as well as built-in revenue generation. The momentum created by the work of the BRC has already led to the implementation of a number of the prioritized interventions.

The BRC recommended that the Talbot County Council appoint an oversight committee comprised of Talbot County citizens and agency staff to monitor county prevention and treatment initiatives, implement the BRC Evaluation Plan, and publish the annual Report Card.

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Caring Parents Guide Good Choices

Parents and caring adults who work with 6th graders are invited to a special 45-minute presentation on how you can help children in the 6th grade face scary choices about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Be our guest at one of these events to learn about coordinating the Guiding Good Choices program for your family, or the families that your organization serves.

RSVP to 410-819-8067 or info@talbotpartnership.org by February 10.

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Talbot County Liquor Code Reform Task Force

A task force, comprised of liquor license holders, prevention professionals, and citizen advocates, is developing a proposal on liquor code reform to present to the Talbot County Council. Next meeting: February 22. For more information, call Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067 or info@talbotpartnership.org.

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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Team

A select group of key businesses will develop a plan to increase the number and effectiveness of Employee Assistance Programs in Talbot County. Next meeting: February 20. For more information: 410-819-8067 or info@talbotpartnership.org

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Talbot Partnership’s Advocacy Role

Talbot Partnership advocates in the following areas:

1. Changing policies is the most effective strategy to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
2. Legislative and policy initiatives on the local, state, and national level
3. Monitoring of court, liquor board, local government
4. No Smoking signs at sports complexes