County Response Town Meeting Offers Solutions
Nearly 100 people attended the town meeting, "A County Response," recently at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Easton. A diverse group of Talbot County citizens and participants spoke from their hearts as concerned parents and grandparents who want to make a difference in the lives of youth in our community. Citizens reacted to the strategies that were proposed at the recent Talbot County Town Meetings on adolescent substance abuse and took part in setting priorities for action. This town meeting was one of 1200 meetings across the country during the week of March 26 to discuss underage drinking.
Janet Pfeffer, executive director of Talbot Partnership, comments, "The turnout at this meeting reveals the passion felt by many to help solve this community issue. Among the many important things shared at this particular meeting were the challenges and heartaches of adolescent substance abuse. Parents expressed the importance of being able to talk with one another as these issues arise in their lives." She adds, "Talbot Partnership is responding by setting up parent meetings to be held each month beginning on April 25. Our hope is that we can educate and support parents in the difficult task they have of keeping their adolescents drug free."
Cory Fink, Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator, reported that since January, a total of 500 people have attended seven town meetings and 12 focus groups across Talbot County on the adolescent substance abuse issue. A summary of the comments from the town meetings was presented. Suggestions from the earlier town meetings were echoed at this meeting, including keeping the issue up front, such as with Talbot Partnership's Who Cares Campaign; reminding adults that it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors and that adults should model appropriate behavior; providing parent support networks to both educate and enhance communication among parents, such as Target 2013 and Guiding Good Choices programs; and making more structured healthy activities available to youth.
As part of the community's assessment of this issue, a Youth Activity Survey was conducted of a total of 16 organizations/businesses and 11 churches to determine what kind of weekend activities are available for teens. Focus groups examining youth opinions will be completed in early April. Parents were also asked to encourage their teens to complete a website survey about youth activities on the Talbot County Public Schools website www.tcps.k12.md.us. Other initiatives include policy assessments and faith based involvement.
The Talbot Partnership Evaluation Committee is working with Just Cause Consulting to prepare a key indicators booklet, including such information as arrests, treatment assessments, ER visits, and crashes. The Talbot County Health Department and County Government will work with a consultant through the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) to take look at data in Talbot County and guide county leaders to create a county plan around this issue.
One parent commented at the end of the meeting, "We need to acknowledge what they (our kids) are doing right, but not give them permission to do something wrong."
If you are interested in participating in the solutions, receiving a summary report of the town meetings or attending a parenting program or support network, call Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067 or e-mail info@talbotpartnership.org.
Pictured is Cory Fink, Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator, who moderated the recent "A County Response" town meeting on adolescent substance abuse.
Pictured is meeting attendee Anthony Lovett, of Union Baptist Church's Higher Ground Drug Ministry, who encouraged participants to attend his church's upcoming event, Praise in the Park Drug Awareness Day on April 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Moton Park in Easton.
