The South County Collaborative, a coalition of public and
private organizations that work to meet the human service needs of
the residents of Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy, recently was
awarded three grants to create community Substance Abuse Prevention
Coalitions in three parts of South County: Morgan Hill/San Martin,
East Gilroy and West Gilroy.
The South County Collaborative, a coalition of public and private organizations that work to meet the human service needs of the residents of Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy, recently was awarded three grants to create community Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions in three parts of South County: Morgan Hill/San Martin, East Gilroy and West Gilroy. Recently, I attended a training by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, along with other groups like ours from across the country.
We broke into small groups often, during which we practiced defining goals and objectives and work plans to address community problems. We had a lot in common with a lot of the people there. Southern Oregon has a huge problem with methamphetamine. We also had representatives from southwest Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, Indiana, Montana, Seattle, Denver and San Luis Obispo. Many of them voiced the same problem: underage drinking.
We talked about why underage drinking is a problem (in one community, an unacceptably large percentage of car accidents involving underage drivers were alcohol related), and what leads the kids to drink (the kids want to feel cool; there’s not a lot to do in town, so getting high makes hanging out with friends more fun; the kids are trying to be like adults, etc.). We also talked about ways to help stem and prevent this vexing problem.
There are few examples of strategies we can adopt right here in our community. Northern California’s Catholic high schools have formed a “community of concern” and devised common strategies for prevention among their students. They include a Parents’ Safety Guide that includes detailed strategies on how to handle prom (including having the driver of the limo take all purses and bags and put them in the trunk for the drive). They have parents sign a pledge to, among other safety measures, not serve liquor to youths at parties at their homes, to call parents having parties to confirm details, and other responsible parenting moves. Those who pledge are identified in the school directory as a Safe Home. Finally, they hold mandatory parent information nights, during which the counseling staff share sobering statistics and other information about teen use of drugs, alcohol, early sex and other choices.
I don’t know if the local public high schools have similar tools, but they are useful and recommended. Another strategy is to create alcohol-free events that would attract local youth. The local Mormon church sponsors a lot of activities for youth that are fun and the kids look forward to them.
Also, communities recognize that certain milestones are conducive to youth drinking, particularly prom and graduation. Live Oak High School’s Grad Night Committee recently notified the community about its need for funds to put on a safe-and-sober event for this year’s graduating seniors. This is an event that certainly deserves community support, as the goal is to ensure that every graduating senior lives to see the following day to enjoy their accomplishment.
It was interesting to hear the stories of other communities, in which the messages to the kids from the adults in the community are obviously mixed, at best. One community puts on a Grad Night, but has an area roped off to serve alcohol to the chaperoning adults! At a St. Louis high school, they give the kids a commemorative wine glass at the graduation ceremony.
We appreciate the consistency as much as the energy the parents in our communities bring to the event as they work hard for the kids’ safety on a night when they are highly likely to abuse alcohol. If you can pitch in with even $25, please do.
The Collaborative is currently doing one-to-one outreach to members in the community who most likely are interested in forming our own “communities of concern” that will work to make changes and improvements in our community that will help recovering addicts stay clean and sober and help prevent people of all ages from abusing alcohol and other drugs. If you are interested, please call Kim Cucuzza at 408-686-2285. Also, we definitely want to have the view of high school youth, and want very much for them to be part of the coalitions established. We have adults who truly want to listen to what you have to say. If you’re willing to give us your view and opinion, please call Kim at the number above.
Columnist Dina Campeau is a wife, mother of two teens and a resident of Morgan Hill. Her work for the last seven years has focused on affordable housing and homeless issues in Santa Clara County. Her column is published weekly. Reach her at dc******@*****er.net.
