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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 Community Drug Task Force Minutes and ReportsCommunity Drug Task Force Steering Team March 22, 1999 MINUTES Present: Laurel Guy, Katrina Turek, Sally Sumner, Peggy Williams, Kit Kephart, Sara Hess, Marcy Hudson, Mark Ashton, Audrey Cooper, Tim Williams, Phil Newby, John Rowley, Dianne Ferriss, Doug Green, Mike Leary, Tim Marchell. Discussion of ICSD Survey Results Clarification question was raised: In the survey tables say "Parents knew while their children were doing it at home..." Is "knew" the same as "condone?" Katrina Turek will call the drug survey company in Colorado to clarify. The point was raised that the relatively high percentage of students who have had alcohol in the home — some of that could be parent -condoned moderate use of alcohol. Doug Green asked about the statistic that 20% of sixth grade parents knew at the time that their kids drinking alcohol or taking drugs. John Rowley knew of a party of 12th grade students at a home, where cases and cases of beer were consumed. The parents response was that this was a safe environment for it to happen in. There's no concern for the high-risk behavior — an overnight sleepover for boys and girls with cases of beer... John noted the statistic that 37% of 12th graders say they couldn't remember what happened after using alcohol. (p. 28 of main report) Sara Hess said that in interviewing young people, they have learned that "I don't remember what happened" is code for "something bad happened to them but they forgot it or don't want to say what it was." So it doesn't really mean that there was a blackout, in fact the description implies that it was something like — they were humiliated, some negative event that they didn't want to think about. But there are certainly seniors who have blacked out while drinking. 28% reported passing out. One of the prevention strategies that can be used to tell teens that things happen to people — they're publicly sick — that kind of humiliation can help curb the use in teens. There was a huge jump in use between the 8th grade and 10th grade. It points out that the 9th grade is a critical transition time. Sara Hess created a_chart that translates the statistics into numbers of students. Shecame up with a number of about 200 high school students and about 25 middle school students who were in the high risk category. That indicates thenumber of kids who should be in treatment or getting some intervention. They are kids who are drinking almost every day and drunk almost once a week. They are using large amounts of marijuana. It is possible that this could be figure could be under estimated because they said that kids that didn't take the survey because they were absent that day might be higher drug users than the kids that were in school. "Moderate risk" was defined as alcohol occasionally as well as marijuana occasionally. They have used drugs other than marijuana but rarely used any drugs more than once a month. Katrina Turek said she is in the process of setting up focus groups of students at the middle schools and at the high schools to ask them two questions: 1) How accurate do you really feel the survey results are? 2) What do you think we can do to decrease the use of alcohol and other drugs? She hopes to have that additional information back by early May. Katrina is open to suggestions on how we go about getting more information to parents. She has a draft memo ready to go out to the PTAs, PALS (Parents of Latino students). There will be three or four sites set up throughout town with information. She is concerned about the rural area and would like suggestions on how to reach those parents. Kit Kephart asked if there had been other methods besides the newspapers of getting information to the students. Katrina responded that this has not occurred yet because they are concerned about the importance of framing the information differently for them. In terms of developing a peer group model that will in fact contribute to them having a larger peer base of kids that aren't using rather than emphasizing the peer group that is using. Comments were made that students have been asking when they were going to be told about the results. Katrina said that she released the results to the student newspapers and was surprised that she received no calls from students about that. The comment was made that students say they don't read the student newspapers. She said she expected to get phone calls after the survey was released and there has been very little interest outside of the Drug Task Force! Kit Kephart spoke about the Peer Education program that the Alcoholism Council sponsors. They train high school students to present workshops to the middle school students. She has asked the trainers to talk to the students about how they would feel presenting information to their same -age peers. She has also spoken to Wendy Suchotliff, the Student Assistance Counselor, to see if there were formats that would be appropriate for presenting material about the survey results. There are no assemblies but they are trying to think of other groups of students to make presentations to. She also said staff at the Alcoholism Council would be willing to go in and talk to kids about some of this information and some education as well. She asked if that would be helpful to have an outside body coming into the school. The Social Norms Approach Katrina said that another way that she wanted to get the information to the kids is to meet with the faculty and do some of the work around social norm behavior that Tim Marche11 has been talking about. Exploring with faculty how they could use this information in terms of their curriculum, to give them a framework for presenting the results. Sally Sumner also felt that working with the faculty made the most sense in terms of reaching the students effectively. Sara Hess said that the faculty should be given something in writing to use as a tool — a fact sheet. Sally also suggested that they should use visual aids — posters or video messages. Get five or ten facts that you would like to have emphasized and do campaigns around getting that information out. For example, "Did you know that 90% of sixth graders don't smoke?" (not an actual statistic) With the students you want to emphasize the positive — let them do the math! Taking the positive messages and getting art and media students to create a public awareness campaign. Tim Marchell said the social norms approach being used on college campuses is an empirically driven strategy, which is based on the research finding that students tend to over-estimate considerably the amount of alcohol and other drug use that is going on among their peers. And this misperception creates an imaginary peer group that they tend to conform to. And if their misperceptions are corrected with factual information based on survey findings, there's an indication at least at the college level, students will conform their behavior to the more moderate norm, the actual norm. He hasn't seen this done yet at the high school level. One of the main methods for doing this is the media. Using posters and advertisements because you can reach many more students effectively than the more time -intensive inter -personal method. But on a small scale in a high school, an inter- personal method will be equally effective. One of the important aspects of doing this is finding out from students what sources of information they consider to be credible. We have to figure out who they would really believe the information — where it's coming from. Tim added that it's important to add subsets of the population. A social norms approach is primarily oriented toward that 85% of students who are at low or moderate risk. Whereas, the students who are really at high risk are in much greater need of intervention to treatment. Katrina Turek said that we have a prevention piece, we need to decide what we are going to do with students who need more intervention. How can we get those students to self - identify more to our Student Assistance Counselor? Tim said that we can't have the expectation that the social norms approach is going to have a significant impact on that 15%. But the impact on the other group is really there. Finding a small number of messages that you really want them to understand and finding creative ways for them to be interested in this information... A small, example...at one university they have students dress up as "The Blues Brothers." And they have contests and if you know the right answer to this social norms question, you get a small prize. This is a way of generating interest. Use multiple strategies. Use teachers, posters, peer -led contests. Tim strongly recommends that we contact Alan Berkowitz, a local Ithacan, who is one of the developers of social norms process. He has offered to do a presentation for those who are interested in learning about this. That is one concrete resource that we have available to us. He pointed out on Sara's chart that among 10th graders, 67% of them are considered as having low involvement. It would be interesting to know what they think the answer to that question is. He would guess that they would think that it's higher. He suggested that if you take that strong majority in the 10th grade and strengthen them to realize that they're normal, that they don't have to conform to experimentation and excessive use. So perhaps focusing on those age groups and correcting those misperceptions at that level will help stem that shift. Sara Hess added that she has heard a lot of young people say that they feel caught between two groups. They can go with the kids who don't use and they're the safe group. Or if they go to a party where kids are using alcohol or other drugs, they will have to use. There's nothing in between. They can't go to a party and not use. It would really help to make non- use the norm and acceptable in any situation. Giving the young people the chance to talk about this — "What am I going to do if I'm going to go there and there's alcohol?" Giving them the social tools to be able to say, "I'll just have a coke." For adults that would be pretty easy to do but for them that's a very hard thing to do. Getting that kind of discussion going to normalize non-use in any situation would be very helpful for kids. Strategies and Solutions Audrey Cooper said there is a group of kids at the high school who don't use, who go to those parties where alcohol is prevalent and feel comfortable. They don't catch flack or get pressured because their own self-confidence is very strong. Those kids might be the young people that we might want to tap into for peer education — they're popular, they're not drinking and drugging. They could be effective in talking to their peers. Phil Newby suggested utilizing the athletic dept. to get information out to the kids about misuse of drugs and how it could interfere with their sports, potential scholarships. He also said that he would like to see a closed campus at the high school. He sees that much of the problem is not use in the school, but leaving school and then coming back. John Rowley suggested we talk about strategies for how we reach students, how we reach parents, how we reach staff, how we reach the community. He suggested we write a response to the newspaper editorial that came out the day the survey results were released, which was filled with -- an informative response and talk about some of the plans to have discussions around the survey results. Laurel Guy, Mark Ashton and Dianne Ferris volunteered to write a response. He said that PTA is a good starting place, to get parents discussing the issues. And to use the Michael Nirney video from 1997, which was very practical and very focused on raising teenagers. He showed it at a movie night at Fall Creek last year. We need to look at steps for getting the word out, having discussions with information available. We need to establish a timeline in order to get this information out before the end of school. There needs to be a clearly written message regarding the survey results that is consistent so that people making presentations to PTA, or faculty talking with students all have a similar message regarding the survey results. It was decided that a one page fact sheet should be created parents and teachers. Sara Hess and John Rowley volunteered to work on this before we meet again. In order to do a public awareness campaign for students at the high school there needs to be a team to implement that. It takes time to design a campaign around whatever facts are extrapolated from the survey results. We can also utilize the educational piece during the SafeNight USA event on Saturday, June 5, to reinforce this public awareness campaign. We are projecting about 500 teens from throughout the county will attend this event. Audrey Cooper suggested using the school cafeteria to set up an information table to get survey results out to kids. It's an effective way to reach the kids for 3 hours during the lunch period times and some of the study halls. Dianne Ferris said at ACS is there is a Drug Committee. Diane Carruthers is the person in the lead for that committee. They have been looking at the survey information. There are also all -school meetings that reach the entire student body. Katrina asked if there are people who are willing to be part of a team of presenters of survey info to let her know. Sally Sumner is willing to do outreach in the elementary schools, Bob Fitzsimmons will do outreach in the middle schools. Doug Green said he would be willing to put together some ideas for doing outreach to parents. Next Meeting: MONDAY, APRIL 12, 5:30 p.m. Common Council Chambers, City Hall Community Drug Task Force Steering Team January 11, 1999 MINUTES Present: Mayor Cohen, Katrina Turek, Laurel Guy, Judge John Rowley, Georgette King, Chuck Bartosch, Mark Ashton, Tim Marchell, Diane Ferris, Kit Kephart,, Ron Schoneman, Viola Scott, Audrey Cooper, Walter Lalor • 1. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this meeting was to go through the goals set forth in the Interim Report of the Community Drug Task Force.* Our intent is first to determine the status of each goal and then to establish a strategy and a timeline for achieving these goals. This meeting was spent examining the short term goals. We will continue to go through the intermediate and long-term goals in subsequent meetings: 2. SHORT TERM PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS • Develop and educational/resource booklet for middle school students about substance abuse. Jody Maddren, the health teacher at Dewitt Middle School is working on the preventionbooklet. Diane Ferris will check with her on the status of this project. • Survey . students and teachers to gather community- based, data on local conditions and trends. Regarding the survey, Alan Cohen said that the letter went out to the parents saying that it was going to be administered. It is going to grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 at ACS, Ithaca High School, Boynton and Dewitt Middle Schools. The survey is a duplicate of the Rocky Mountain Survey. Chuck Bartosch said that the survey was administered with no complaints. We should get the tabulated results in the next few days. Katrinasaid that the survey chosen is a solid research model and has a lie factor built into it and there are certain questions that are earmarked that can trigger for the computer when kids aren't being truthful. *Allow Parent Education Action Team to speak at ICSD PTA meetings. Parent Education Action Team has spoken to PTA meetings and are wanting to speak again. Sharon Best was suggested as thecontact to see if more speaking engagements have taken place or not. •Hire Cayuga Role Players to perform at schools on drug related issues. No one is certain who coordinates the Cayuga Role Players. Anyone who has information about this group should contact Laurel Guy. Walter Lalor suggested utilizing the Mental Health Players from Elmira, who have an excellent reputation. It would also be helpful to create a list of other regional groups that do this type of educational theatre outreach that could be tapped. This would require funding. Laurel will start researching and compiling a list of recommened groups and grant opportunities to fund it. • Advocate community, political and religious leaders to take responsibility for drug- related treatments for youth. Alan and Kit Kephart voiced interest in working with Laurel to organize a series of brown bag lunches for clergy and community to have various providers describe their services. It was decided that a subcommittee couldbeformed to define what our message is first. Chuck Bartosch suggested creating speaking engagements for Rotary and other business organizations. Alan also suggested that Sara Hess would be a good point person to involve in this project because this goal came out of her group. 1 •Create a directory of active neighborhood association and watch groups. •Develop an informational booklet to give community residents assistance in fighting drugs in their neighborhoods. The directory of neighborhood watch groups and the informational book about fighting drugs in your neighborhood have been updated and they are going to go out together as one booklet. Alan will report on the timeframe of this by next month's meeting. Leslie Chatterton in the Planning Department is in charge of updating these booklets into one booklet. Audrey Cooper asked how these booklets are being distributed. Her comment was that it is sad that something of this caliber is not getting into people's hands. A discussion followed regarding the need of better distribution for these materials. Laurel Guy stressed that distribution is one of the weak links, not only for these booklets but for many other information materials. Two questions were raised: the cost of printing and how many booklets are printed? Alan said that he can fmd moneys to cover the cost and did not want to consider that an issue. Mark Ashton asked how many booklets exist on this topic. The suggestion was made to create a list of sites for distribution points. The following resources were suggested to include on that list Southside Center, GIAC, Southview Community Center, Northside Community, Parkside Gardens, Titus Towers. Georgette King can distribute them through Drug Court. Community members like Viola Scott can distribute them. Audrey Cooper and Wilma Martin can utilize them in the Drug Elimination Program through Cooperative Extension. Gerry Robles' program, the Family Development Program in the North and South Sides. The Women's Opportunity Center. Health care providers: Doctors, dentists, social workers, Planned Parenthood offices. All of the neighborhood watch groups can be very effective if they have the tools to give out. Churches should have them. Questions were raised about distributing them through the schools, through the Thursday Take Home Packets in the grade schools. Coffee shops, laundromats. Working with other organizations that have packets, perhaps we could piggy -back with them. Cooperative Extension's Food and Nutrition Program has 20 sites in Ithaca and outlying areas. Every three months they change the packets of information. Women's Community Building, Family and Children's Service. All the police satellite offices should have them. The library. Alan mentioned that there is now a digital map that shows where all the community groups are. Chuck Bartosch mentioned that the 1,000 teachers in the district are an ideal group that should have this booklet, working through the ITA. Also, perhaps distributing these through the parent -teacher conferences that happen twice a year. The Drug Task Force could have an information table at the schools' Open House events. Create a list of special events like the Southside Festival, Take Back the Night event, etc. Laurel will research and create a distribution list using these suggestions as a starting point. Georgette King, Audrey Cooper, Mark Ashton, Chuck Bartosch, and Kit Kephart all want to see the latest draft of the booklet. Laurel will contact Leslie Chatterton and obtain draft copies and distribute them. • Providing local seminars at the local level on how to report a crime. There are police officers willing to come out to interested neighborhood watch groups. The Neighborhood Council was established — it was an intermediate goal that was done in the short term. This is a place that helps all of this. Perhaps with the reissue and publicity of the new updated booklet we could launch a new series of seminars. We can create a timeline for this campaign based on the printing date of the booklet. What's the best way to set them up seminars when someone wants one? Because many of the neighborhoods have a lot of turnover in residents, it would be good to create a regular calendar for these seminars — perhaps in the fall every year. Audrey Cooper asked whether there were members from Southside and Northside on Neighborhood Council and said she would be willing to work on fording representatives for that group. 2 Promote use of "Hot Spot Cards" by campaigning, implementing it as an anonymous service in schools, and including "Hot Spot Cards" in a packet of material with Section 8 Housing program materials. Hot Spot Cards in the schools: Katrina Turek said there was a mixed review on them in the Cabinet. There was the concern that students would abuse this opportunity and make false accusations. There would have to be specific designated people who would have access to that information. What has stopped the process is that there is something similar that's available through Technology. She does not yet have details to present to this committee. Chuck Bartosch is working on a suggestion system for the schools, that deals with confidentiality and political issues that may work for both of these issues. John Rowley was wondering how effective these would be in the schools. Kids reporting other kids using drugs. He felt that a good list could be generated without this. Use of the Hot Spot Cards in the community has fallen off. Alan said that the card is currently being updated. Tracy Farrell is in charge of this process. Laurel will fmd out the timeline for when they will be done. Once they are updated, we should plan a public awareness campaign about them, how to use them, how to get them. Possibly having them temporarily in Wegmans and other high traffic, high visibility locations so that people know what they are. •Create a signed agreement by students involved in sports, clubs and long standing activities to abstain from the use of drugs (tobacco and alcohol included.) Discussion that this agreement is currently viewed as a joke by the students involved because it is not enforced. Audrey Cooper said that as a parent, when she signs this form, she felt like she was giving the school permission to do drug testing. That without that, the agreement is not Georgette King stated that the drug problem at HIS is rampant. Katrina Turek asked that if anyone had specific information that helps us to move forward, if there are kids that you have suspicion that are dealing when they are at the building — that's where they have jurisdiction by calling an Assistant Principal. The question was raised how it might be possible to have an additional section added onto the signed agreement where parents could give permission for drug testing. Chuck Bartosch thought that drug testing would be difficult to get passed by the school board. He also felt most parents don't believe they have a problem. Therefore most parents would not give permission for it. Chuck also felt that there is a large segment of the community that does not trust the schools and will not go to the school and will not tell us anything. They do not have a positive image of the school and are the least likely to communicate with usDiscussion led to the need to really fmd out the reality of the drug problem in the schools versus the perception of the drug problem. . No resolution was reached on this issue. Audrey Cooper announced that on Feb. 20 there will be a Youth Speak Out as part of the INHS/Ithaca Journal city initiative. This is specifically for teens to have a safe place to talk about some of the issues and problems they are having in school, home, and community. Adults will not be invited to this event. • Change departure time of school buses to 4:00-4:15 Change the departure time of the school buses to a later time. The buses currently leave school at 2:45 p.m. The research shows that 3:00 —8:00 is the most 'at risk' time for kids ages 12 and up. After school activities like interest clubs or intramurals or enrichment classes on the school campus could create positive choices for kids. But transportation is the single largest obstacle preventing this from developing. Chuck Bartosch said this has not come up in any School Board meeting. It is a Student Services Committee issue. But he will ask to have it put on the Finance Committee agenda within this month just to find out what the cost would be. It's not changing the time, but actually adding a set of buses that leave later. It will be a huge cost. But the way the School Board is doing the budget this year is unique and it is possible for them to make a major change in services. Also Alan has a proposal to arrange free TCAT for students. He has 3 had no luck on that as yet. He would like to limit it to a particular time and day — and having it only from the schools to the homes. It should have a limited impact to the system. • Adopt a no open container rule in the ICSD schools. • Monitor rest rooms/cafeteria in the schools for drug trafficking. Katrina talked about how there are so many restrooms and a lot of places in the building where students can really hang out and hide and disappear. It is nearly impossible to monitor every single one of the locations. There are also problems about jurisdiction. A teen can step right outside school property, stand right on the sidewalk in front of us and blatantly stand there and smoke without repercussions. Upper classmen have a rule that they can leave. Leaving campus is tradition, a privilege that you earn. The issue of this open campus is an ongoing problem and it will be difficult to change. It is difficult to monitor. Kid's schedules change frequently, they are sometimes not solidified until October. Kid's are reluctant to carry their ID cards, which makes it difficult to check if they are where they are supposed to be. Enforcement issues. Chuck has seen kids smoking ON school property frequently. When the AP comes out, they step out onto the sidewalk onto city property. The bridge across Cayuga St. is one of the worst locations. Alan said that the city is brainstorming a couple of solutions. One is to create a no smoking zone around the school and they are doing the legal research on that. The other solution is a bit more controversial: a nicotine possession law. Currently, it's illegal to sell nicotine products to a minor but it is not illegal for a minor to possess it. If the City is able to pass this law, they would have to have the Town of Ithaca to also do the same. The Mayor is going to be bringing someone in to assist with this. There is also one more idea, an unusual one: the city wants to see if there is a way they can actually make the bridge school property. He recommended that the district attorneys look at the liability side of that idea, that might be the only hang up. The city could legally deed over the bridge to the district and still be responsible for maintenance and upkeep. Then the district would have jurisdiction of the bridge itself. •Create a clear policy regarding use of drugs in schools so that all staff, students and parents understand the policy and the consequences of violating them. Katrina is meeting with one of the board members to work on the discipline policy in the district, the blue book, to really tighten these things up. Georgette requested in that in any form of discipline that a referral to treatment be the one of the first steps. Georgette feels that some of the perceived resistance may be that if the kids are not being funneled to help first but instead it is punitive action, then parents who will hang up or react negatively. The perception needs to change so that parents feel like they are getting some help and support in getting these kids help. Katrina responded in addition to disciplinary action there will be support offered and in place. They are not able to make referrals — it's against the law that they insist or require that there be drug prevention counseling. But they are allowed to do is they can wave certain portions of the disciplinary action if they can show documentation that they and their families have participated in drug assessment and drug counseling. Plus the new Drug Prevention Counselor is now the gateway back in for these kids to know that there is support there. They are working to get the school counselors, social workers working more as a team around all kinds of issues. Georgette reinforced that this positive approach would be even more effective if the parents could be included on the team and if they could hear that message clearly. She stressed that perception is everything, that parents will stay in that denial if they don't hear this message. 4 3. CONCLUSION How can this steering team be most helpful in working on all of these goals? Katrina stated that the actions that she has been working on since a year ago are the actions generated by the Drug Task Force. That's been her road map for what she had felt the community has been bringing forward -- issues that needed to be addressed. Some of them are more long-term, some are short-term. As a district, as we continue to chip away at this list we're going to run into road blocks and places where we need to have a forum where dialogue can take place so that we can continue this partnership. Laurel asked how else can we keep the communication two way? How can we lobby effectively for the implementation of these goals? Should we periodically attend principals' meetings? Should our Report and goals be distributed in the school board packets? This steering team is so important. Tonight the school district has been under a magnifying glass as we look closely at the short term goals. Next month we will look at the larger picture of how we can continue to be an effective community voice. We will be brainstorming ideas about forming the community coalition, CASA (Coalition Against Substance Abuse). Save the DATE! Next Meeting: Monday, February 8, 1999 5:30 p.m. 2nd Floor Conference Room City Hall 5 t Commmunity Drug Task Force Steering Team March 8, 1999 MINUTES Present: Peggy Williams, Mark Ashton, Tim Marchell, Marcy Hudson, Dianne Ferriss, Sara Hess, Audrey Cooper, Chuck Bartosch, Katrina Turek, John Rowley, Kit Kephart, Georgette King, Laurel Guy, Alan Cohen. UPDATES The survey results are being released at the School Board meeting on tomorrow night. The Board members have received an executive summary. There is also an in-depth report available. Katrina Turek will be giving a 20 minute presentation on the results as well as an update on the Community Drug Task Force. Mark Ashton and Laurel Guy met with Bill Barnett and Susan Strauss regarding the IHS Site -Based Council and the School Portfolio. The School Portfolio is a process and product that is generated by an organization in California. It's being done at IHS in response to the requirement by Regents that all schools have school improvement plans. It's a comprehensive look at the state of the school with the participation of a whole lot of people in order to develop targets for improving it. This process started about a year ago and is coming to fruition with the publication of a document called the School Portfolio, which is available for people to use on a day to day basis. The Community Drug Task Force will be listed in the Portfolio in the section titled `School Partnerships.' Drug Free Community Support Program Peggy Williams is a grant writer working for the Mayor's office, through the Office of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program. This is a federal grant, which awards $100,000 each year for the next four years. It requires $100,000 in cash or in-kind donations each year. The goals of the grant are to reduce substance abuse among youth and to strengthen collaboration among community groups. We are developing a grant proposal that focuses on a public awareness campaign and increased partnership with ICSD. Mark Ashton said that we do not yet have programs in place for either of those areas. Laurel Guy responded that this grant would provide the funding needed to develop such programs. The public awareness campaign would include a student developed media campaign targeted at the high school with the help of Cornell students who would act as mentors. Regarding partnerships with ICSD, we are looking at strengthening existing after school programs for teens as well as developing collaborations with other organizations that would lead to more activities and programs for teens. Katrina Turek reiterated that we have to give the youth something concrete and constructive to do in this town. The main thing that she continues to hear that there is `nothing to do.' There is nothing for sixth graders — no intramural activities, no sports activities. We can't just count on GIAC — it's a bigger problem than GIAC. Audrey Cooper agreed, saying that one of the main statements that came out of the Teen Speak is that there is not a place where teens can go to have a good time, to dance, that is alcohol and drug free. Planning a Media Strategy for Release of the Survey The Ithaca Journal is interested in doing some follow up stories, possibly a series of articles, that would be related to results of the survey. Katrina gave them a media packet as well as some suggestions in terms of parenting, family life, community agencies, clergy, law enforcement. The Ithaca Times and the two high school newspapers have also been contacted. Chuck Bartosch will be on WHCU, on the Casey Stevens show, talking about the results. We should also plan on developing some op-ed pieces, perhaps once a month, that target issues that we are most concerned about. Chuck Bartosch expressed concern that we have not planned student participation in terms of how the results are released to them but also just making sure that they feel they are part of the process. Mark Ashton asked how are they planning on discussing these results with the students. Katrina Turek responded that this is not yet figured out. She wants to make sure that the information is communicated is more of a positive slant. Tim Marchell has spoken to us about how college students look to a peer group, a social norm group that they begin to identify with. And the way that you send the information to students is more of a positive slant, i.e. instead of saying 10% are involved, say 90% aren't involved so that they start to identify with that larger peer group. She wants to meet with faculty soon so that they can communicate with youth with this approach. She will also be meeting with administrators to have an in-depth discussion with them. Kit Kephart suggested that the Peer Education group from the Alcoholism Council might be utilized. Chuck Bartosh said that the plan had been to make presentations to administration, faculty, to PTA Council as well as individual PTAs, students, Rotary and other community groups. The problem is that we can't expect Katrina to make all of these presentations. What we need to do is expand the number of people who can make these presentations. Georgette King felt that there was a need to get a broader response out to parents than just through the PTA. If they are only getting the information from the media, that will create a lot of frustration. Chuck responded that they also intend to make presentations to PALs and at GIAC. Katrina Turek gave a nutshell version of the results, which included that we do indeed have 6"' graders that are drug involved so people can't keep their heads in the sand about that any longer. That alcohol is by far our most serious drug and marijuana is second, and hallucinogens are third. Chuck felt another significant factor was that most use does not occur in school. That tells us that it has to be a community effort to solve this. Chuck Bartosch expressed concern that we are not prepared to take advantage of media. Mark Ashton asked that what can we do one day before the release of the survey? Laurel suggested that we need to know more about the survey results, that we should devote our next meeting to a discussion about it and what we can do. It was decided that the survey would be distributed to the Task Force and we would meet again on Monday, March 22 at 4:30 p.m. s Laurel also said that April is Alcohol Awareness month and ask Kit to give us some idea of what the Alcoholism Council is planning. Kit said that April 8 is a national screening day and the Mental Health Association and Alcoholism Council will have information booths with clinicians on site to help people identify if they have a problem. They are also planning on doing a `Walk for Awareness.' SafeNight USA A national event that happens simultaneously in hundreds of cities across the country on June 5, 1999. About 60 people came to the first planning meeting at Cooperative Extension. The focus is on teens with an evening that is filled with fun that is alcohol and drug free. It also has an educational component about violence, drugs, alcohol, etc. The reason that this event has taken off is that in Milwaukee where it started in 1991, it gives youth the power and the tools to plan these types of events. It's not just one night out of the year, it can multiply into many events throughout the year. The results in the communities that have created SafeNights have included a dramatic drop in violence. Laurel encourages Task Force members to participate in the planning of this event. Audrey stressed that this event is planned by teens for teens with assistance from the adults. This is a separate' event from National Night Out that occurs in August. COMPLETE SYNOPSIS OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMMUNITY DRUG TASK FORCE From the Interim Report on the Community Drug Task Force SHORT TERM PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: • Develop an educational/resource booklet for middle school students about substance abuse. (Youth Education; p.4) • Survey students and teachers to gather community based data on local conditions and trends. (Youth Education; p.5) • Allow the Parent Education Action Team to speak at ICSD PTA meetings. (PEAT; p.8) • Hire Cayuga Role Players to perform at schools on drug related issues. (ibid.) • Advocate community political and religious leaders to take responsibility for drug related treatments for youth. (Treatment; p.10) • Create a directory of the active neighborhood association and watch groups. (Community; p.13) • Develop an informational booklet to give community residents assistance in fighting drugs in their neighborhoods. (ibid.) • Provide local seminars at the neighborhood level on "how to report a crime". (ibid) • Promote use of "Hot Spot Cards" by campaigning, implementing it as an anonymous service in schools, and including "hot spot cards" in a packet of material with Section 8 Housing program materials. (Community; p.14) • Create a signed agreement by students involved in sports, clubs and long standing activities to abstain from the use of drugs (tobacco and alcohol included). (School Culture Environment; p. 18) • Change departure time of school buses to 4:00-4:15 to allow more time for extracurricular activities. (SCE; p.19) • Adopt a no open container rule in the ICSD schools. (ibid.) • Monitor rest rooms/cafeteria in the schools for drug trafficking. (SCE; p.20) • Create a clear policy regarding use of drugs in schools so that all staff, students and parents understand the policy and the consequences of violating them. (School Culture Policy; p.21) • Supplement DARE program with judges and lawyers speaking in classrooms as well as expand the program into the middle schools. (Justice System; p.30) • Locate and, distribute a national survey on drug issues for the Ithaca area. (Survey;p.32) INTERMEDIATE TERM PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: • Improve drug education in the ICSD. (Youth Education; p.5) • Coordination and collaboration of public school teachers with other community based educators. (Youth Education; p.7) • Include drug education in the School to Work program. (ibid.) • Incorporate the concepts of family and culture into training, counseling and treatment -services provided in the community. (Treatment; p.9) • Establish a consortium of neighborhood associations and watch groups into the form of a neighborhood council or forum. (Community and Government Initiatives; p.13 & 26) • Inviting and encouraging landlords to be involved in the neighborhoods they own or manage. (Community; p.13) • Train and sensitize IPD dispatchers to the needs of some residents. (Community; p.14) • Promote and build neighborhood -police relationships. (Community, p.15) • Create a "closed campus" as well as arrange for academic schedules to be uninterrupted. (SCE; p.17) • Establish an IHS parking lot gate to monitor student arrivals and departures. (ibid.) • Increase funds and support for intramural sports and after school activities. (ibid.) • Bring drug dogs to inspect student lockers. (SCE; p.19) • Increase ofstaff intervention of students suspected of being impaired by drugs. (ibid) • Establishment of drug free zones: extend District policing authority beyond boundaries and expand drug free school zones past federally mandated areas. (SCP; p.22) • Drug Awareness Street Festival focused on downtown, involving college/high school students, GIAC and West End businesses and individuals. (Public Outreach;p.24) • IPD: trade time with other departments on a quid -pro -quo basis; create a civilian core of specially trained drug buyers and home videotapes of illegal drug activity. (Justice System;p.25) • Create a "Youth Court" with sentencing of community service by a jury of their peers and implement a school wide mock trial program to teach students about the legal system. (Justice;p.29) • Create a formal process where concerned citizens would receive updates regrading prosecutions. (Justice; p.30) Government Initiatives - Bob London 1.) Establish a consortium of neighborhood associations and watch groups into the form of a neighborhood council or forum. - Leslie Chatterton and Jayeesha Dutta are in the process of meeting with each individual association to develop a meeting agenda for an upcoming forum of all neighborhood councils in the Fall. 2.) Introduction or passage of the following initiatives: anti -noise, anti -loitering, anti -graffiti, anti -littering, ban on possession of nicotine by minors, improved lighting in dark areas and ordinance to limit drug related activity. - Legislation on anti -loitering, anti graffiti, anti -littering, ban on possession of nicotine by minors and a 'lockdown" law has been drafted and given to the Mayor this summer. Research on lighting in dark areas has been conducted by an intern in the Engineering department. There is also additional resear ch on a "Sin Tax," 'Drug Free Zones" and drug sniffing dogs. There is already an ordinance to limit drug related activity called RPAPL 715. School Culture - Policy - Mark Ashton 1.) Establishment of drug free zones: extend District policing authority beyond boundaries and expand drug free school zones past federally mandated areas. - The school district central office is pursuing this initiative with the help of Katrina Turek and the superintendent. Research is being conducted on how to establish these zones. 2.) Ensure consistent enforcement of policies and rules regarding drugs. - This initiative is being pursued through a site based council which is sponsoring a development ofa school portfolio that is in process. 3.) Hiring of an alcohol and substance abuse counselor in high school. - Money has been allocated for this position in the school budget, and hiring ofa counselor is in process. Public Outreach - Marti Garrison 1.) Drug Awareness Street Festival focused on downtown, involving college/high school students, GIAC and West End businesses and individuals. - This is not going to happen because it is logistically too complicated. *Treatment 1.) Advocate community political and religious leaders to take responsibility for drug related treatments for youth. 2.) Incorporate the concepts of family and culture into training, counseling and treatment services provided in the community. 3.) Create a treatment model which includes a residential treatment option (halfway house) as well as the creation of a subcommittee to pursue research on the feasibility of establishing a halfway house in Ithaca for adolescents. **School Culture - Environment - Michelle Murphy 1.) Create a signed agreement to abstain from the use of drugs (tobacco and alcohol included) by students involved in sports, clubs and long standing activities. 2.) Change departure time of school buses to 4:00-4:15 to allow more time for extracurricular activities. 3.) Adopt a no open container rule in the ICSD schools. 4.) Monitor rest rooms/cafeteria in the schools for drug trafficking. 5.) Create a clear policy regarding use of drugs in schools so that all staff, students and parents understand the policy and the consequences of violating them. 6.) Create a "closed campus" as well as to arrange for academic schedules to be uninterrupted. 7.) Establish an IHS parking lot gate to monitor student arrivals and departures. 8.) Increase funds and support for intramural sports and after school activities. 9.) Bring drug dogs to inspect student lockers. 10.) Increase of staff intervention of students suspected of being impaired by drugs. 11.) Introduce a reintegration program for students returning to school after drug rehabilitation. **Justice System - Eldred Harris 1.) Supplement DARE program with judges and lawyers speaking in classrooms as well as expand the program into the middle schools. 2.) IPD: trade time with other departments on a quid -pro -quo basis. 3.) Create a "Youth Court" with sentencing of community service by a jury of their peers and implement a school wide mock trial program to teach students about the legal system. 4.) Encourage the District Attorney and city Prosecutor to create a formal process where concerned citizens would receive updates regarding prosecutions. 5.) Place priority on increasing law enforcement budgets. 6.) Expand training for probation officers and DSS caseworkers. 7.) Continue support for the Ithaca City Drug Court team. 8.) Periodically hold neighborhood meetings at which community leaders would answer questions regarding drug enforcement policies. 9.) Support efforts to have the public support suspicious activities to the police. 10.) Support continued expansion of neighborhood groups including neighborhood watch. 11.) Support ongoing assessment of new law enforcement tools in this area. * This committee needs a new chair. ** This person could not be reached for comment. r Community -- Michael Vittucci 1.) Create a directory of the active neighborhood association and watch groups. - Done. 2.) Develop an informational booklet to give community residents assistance in fighting drugs in their neighborhoods. - This booklet is in the process of being revised and put into a better layout by the -interns. It should be in a more user friendly mode by the end of the summer, in tune for the Neighborhood council forum. 3.) Provide local seminars at the neighborhood level on "how to report a crime." - This recommendation has not been acted on. 4.) Promote use of "Hot Spot Cards" by campaigning, implementing it as an anonymous service in schools, and including "hot spot cards" in a packet of material with Section 8 Housing program materials. - This recommendation has not been acted on. 5.) Establish a consortium of neighborhood associations and watch groups into the form of a neighborhood council or forum. - Leslie Chatterton andJayeesha Dutta are in the process of meeting with each individual association to develop a meeting agenda for an upcoming forum of all neighborhood councils in the Fall. 6.) Inviting and encouraging landlords to be involved in the neighborhoods they own or manage. - The committee hopes to make this recommendation more consistent after the neighborhood meeting in the Fall. 7.) Train and sensitize IPD dispatchers to the needs of some residents. - This recommendation has not been acted on. 8.) Promote and build neighborhood -police relationships. - This is an ongoing process. 9.) IPD: create satellites in city neighborhoods, a canine unit and a mobile satellite unit. - The canine unit has been achieved, but the mobile unit is still being considered. 10.) Create a community watch program with the City of Ithaca Dept. of Public Works employees. - This recommendation has not been acted on. Survey -- Chuck Bartosch 1.) Locate and distribute a national survey on drug issues for the Ithaca area. - The Rocky Mountain drug survey has been chosen, and there is a meeting on August 13th to discuss the date to distribute the survey. A time in September or October is being considered. Recommendations and Progress of Drug Task Force Committees August 11, 1998 Youth Education -- Dianne Ferris and Katrina Turek 1.)Development of an educational -/resource booklet for middle school students about substance abuse. -There are some people brainstorming 2.) Improve drug education in the ICSD. -Katrina has met with the Superintendent for curriculum instruction and they are in the process of a plan to work with principals and health specialists to assess current teaching practices and future needs. 3.) Coordination and collaboration of public school teachers with other community based educators. - Rick Dietrich will coordinate this in the Fall. 4.) Include drug education in the School to Work program. - There will not be any discussion on this until the steering committee convenes when school begins 5.) Improve training and support for teachers through forums. - There will be discussion on this once school begins and Katrina may help to facilitate this. 6.) Forum for the sharing of resources and ideas so that educators are sensitized to the issues and energized by their collaborative efforts. - There will be discussion on this once school begins. 7.) Send more teachers for Life Skills training at BOCES. - A decision 011 the types of curriculum is needed and a discussion on the need for this training in the middle schools. ' 8.) Offer a 12th grade class that reinforces decision making skills, refusal skills, and wellness activities - Katrina is working with the curriculum people. Parent Education - Sharon Best 1.) Allow the Parent Education Action Team to speak at ICSD PTA meetings. - There was a big turn -out for one meeting but nothing has really been done yet. The team would like to speak at the next meeting 2.) Hire Cayuga Role Players to perform at schools on drug related issues. - Mary Jo Wood was supposed to handle this. LONG TERM PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: • Improve training and support for teachers through forums. (Youth Ed.;p.6) • Create a treatment model, which includes a residential treatment option (halfway house), as well as the creation of a subcommittee to pursue research on the feasibility of establishing a halfway house in Ithaca for adolescents. (Treatment; p.10) • IPD: create satellites in city neighborhoods, a canine unit and a mobile satellite unit. (Community;p.1Li) • Create a community watch program with the City of Ithaca Dept. of Public Works employees. (Community;p. 1 6) • Introduce a reintegration program for students returning to school after drug rehabilitation. (SCE;p.20) • Ensure consistent enforcement of policies and rules regarding drugs. (SCP;p.2 1) • Introduction or passage of the following initiatives: anti -noise, anti -loitering, anti -graffiti, anti- littering, ban on possession of nicotine by minors, improved lighting in dark areas and ordinance to limit drug related activity. (Government Intitiatives;p.25) • Place priority on increasing law enforcement budgets. (justice;p3 1) • Expand training for probation officers and DSS caseworkers. (ibid.) • Continue support for the Ithaca City Drug Court team. (ibid.) Compiled by: Jayeesha Dutta, Intern, Mayor's Office Community Drug Task Force Steering Team November 9, 1998 MINUTES Present: Mayor Cohen, Laurel Guy, Sara Hess, Michele Murphy, Lynne Tylee, Georgette King, Chuck Bartosch, Sharon Best, Mary Ann Knight Colbert, Tracy Farrell, Rev. Cleveland Thornhill, Judge John Rowley. 1. Introductions Laurel Guy, Drug Task Force Coordinator, spoke about her new role to guide the implementation process of the goals and objectives recommended in the Interim Report of the Community Drug Task Force. Her task, with the help of the Steering Team, is to develop a strategic plan to turn these specific goals into concrete actions. In addition, she developing a public awareness campaign to enhance these efforts. She emphasized that this is a partnership effort with the Ithaca City School District, and that the Task Force needs to continue work collaboratively with the school district and other groups in the community already working on this issue. She asked the group to think about the following: 1) What is the overall goal of the Task Force? 2) What is the timeline for achieving the specific goals? 3) How will success be measured? 4) Who's at the table? We need to rebuild our Steering Team into a working group that includes a cross section of organizations and people representing our community. 2. Revisiting the Mission Statement/Establishing Action Plan Mayor Cohen said that in addition to implementing the recommended goals, that our mission is to raise community awareness, maintain visibility, create excitement in the community about these issues. He also noted that the Interim Report is being revised and will be released by the end of this calendar year. Sara Hess emphasized that people are expecting the report, to not to let it fade away -- the shorter, the better! People are looking for something they can grasp. Laurel Guy presented the Action Plan, emphasizing that these ideas are open to discussion and revision. The Action Plan included the following elements: • Establish a community coalition called CASA (Coalition Against Substance Abuse.) This coalition would be a powerful vehicle to drive a public awareness campaign, bringing together community organizations, churches, law enforcement, government, social services, youth groups, medical groups, schools, businesses, who would in turn encourage their members, employees, students to join this grassroots effort. The goal is to create a comprehensive, community -wide approach to substance abuse related problems. The acronym, CASA, refers to 'one person, one family, one house at a time.' Nearby, there are successful coalitions in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse that we can work with. In addition, there is a national coalition, CADCA (Community Anti - Drug Coalitions of America) that can provide assistance. 1 • Develop an Information Packet/Action Kit that would be distributed to people when they join CASA. There is an incredible wealth of much needed information -- directories of local services and treatment providers, many terrific educational booklets, etc. The main problem is distribution. How do we get this information to the people who need it? This `Action Kit' would become a key distribution channel. • Create a CASA newsletter and web page that highlight local and regional events on substance abuse issues in a monthly calendar, provide a directory of local and regional services, and links to related state and national coalitions and organizations. • Work in collaboration with other groups to sponsor special community events, programs, workshops, presentations, discussion forums, networking opportunities, brown bag lunches, performances. • Contact national coalitions (i.e. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information and others) that provide ad campaign materials that can be tailored to create our own local public awareness campaign. There are many national campaigns that provide extremely effective posters and ads for radio, TV, and newspapers. These include Reality Check, Girl Power!, The Arts and Prevention, etc. • Build a partnership with the local media and businesses to sponsor this campaign. Newspaper, radio and TV ads. Special in-depth newspaper series on substance abuse issues. On-going Op -Ed columns. Followup Letters to the Editor Ongoing publicity for Drug Task Force/Community Coalition efforts and special events. • Build a resource library that includes educational videos that can be aired on the public access channel. There are locally produced videos as well as national distributors that have videos that can be used in the public domain. Create a regular program on the public access channel that also includes panel discussions on various issues. (Channel 13 could use some good, quality programming!) • Create opportunities for youth -led, youth -oriented initiatives and involvement. These could include youth -produced ads and for, local public awareness campaign, web page, cable show, programs, events, conferences. • Develop new ways of creating a stronger partnership with ICSD to support their efforts in enhancing drug education for students and teachers. • Research local, state, federal funding opportunities to support these ongoing efforts of the Drug Task Force. 2 An interesting discussion followed! Here are some highlights: Lynn Tylbee suggested developing a speakers bureau, motivational speakers who could sell the idea of a community coalition by speaking to community groups. Tracy Farrell asked about the 'care and feeding' of such a coalition. Chuck Bartosch wondered if CASA would then become a separate entity from the Drug Task Force requiring a board, marketing, daily phone service, staff and budget. Georgette King wondered what to do if CASA was in fact, successful? How geared up are we locally for large numbers of people seeking help? Are treatment centers ready? Lynn Tylbee responded that help is there for those who need it -- in-patient, mental health, alcoholism council, treatment centers. Sharon Best noted that the public perception is that there is no help. There is a large need for family help. Another big problem is that not everybody has insurance. Mary Ann Knight Colbert agreed that many youth do not have insurance and are not eligible for Medicaid. We need to help people obtain insurance. Sharon added that it's easy to look at the drug problem in the negative, which is very discouraging to people who really need help. We need a positive approach that encourages people to get help. Rev. Thornhill said his feeling is that this is an underserved community. Some programs. are just a revolving door. Treatment is not working. On a positive note, he mentioned one program in Spencer, the Youth Challenge program, that is effective. He strongly feels that the important issue is treatment, effective treatment. Lynne Tylbee reminded us that the raw statistic is that 80% of addicts will fail in treatment. It is a difficult problem everywhere, not just in Ithaca. Georgette King said that whether or not they can navigate the system, families do not have the information they need to go through the Medicaid gamut. The system fails to support them. The network isn't there. That in her work she ends up being a case worker because there is no one to help guide these people. Lynne Tylbee asked if that is where CASA can step in? John Rowley felt that both Alpha House and the Alcoholism Council could use help to reach greater numbers of people, to be more welcoming. Rev. Thornhill again stated the need for treatment, especially for youth. Sara Hess, speaking on behalf of youth workers, stated that everyone acknowledges that there are not enough treatment centers for the younger population under the age of 18. She also said that in terms of building a community coalition, to include the function of networking -- creating opportunities for exchanging information and working together on funding issues -- to think about how to make the best use of the network. John Rowley said he liked the idea of a coalition and has grant proposal material for creating coalitions. 3 3. Reports on Status of Recommended Goals We decided to wait until our next meeting to go over the recommended goals outlined in the Interim Report so that Katrina Turek from ICSD could be present to report on the status of goals related to the school district. 4. Re-evaluating Drug Task Force Committees Youth Education and Parent Education are still working committees. Community, School Culture - Policy, School Culture - Environment, Treatment,. Justice System, and Survey have finished their work in establishing the recommended goals in the Interim Report. Public Outreach never got off the ground. Discussion centered on rebuilding the Steering Team to become a working group to develop and implement the goals and action plan. Suggestions for new working committees included a Grant Writing Committee, Media Outreach Committee, and Research Committee (to compile information on creating coalitions, collect and update information for the `Action Kit.' 5. Regular Meeting Time We tentatively agreed to a regular meeting time of the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room of City Hall. (excluding December because of Hanukkah!) Save the date! Next Drug Task Force Steering Team Meeting: Monday, January 11, 1999 5:30 p.m. 2nd floor Conference Room City Hall 108 E. Green St. 4 Community Drug Task Force Steering Team February 8, 1999 MINUTES Present: Mayor Alan Cohen, Katrina Turek, Laurel Guy, Chuck Bartosch, Sharon Best, Judge John Rowley, Michele Murphy, Tim Marchell, Mike Leary, Mark Ashton, Audrey Cooper, Cassandra Nelson, Mike Thomas, Gino Bush, Joe Cassaniti, Waltor Lalor, Diane Ferris 1. INTRODUCTION The main agenda item for this meeting was to discuss the pros and cons of forming CASA (Coalition against Substance Abuse.) 2. Updates on Short Term Goals In January's meeting we discussed the current status of the short-term goals recommened in the Interim Report. Here are some updates: • The Drug Task Force Report will be published in April (finally!) The target date for having the Interim Report published is April, 1999. At the same time, we will publish the 1st in a series of quarterly newsletters that has updates on the DTF Steering Team's progress on the recommended goals and other things that we are working on. Laurel may contact you to contribute to this newsletter! Both the published report and the newsletter will be sent to all people who were involved in this process. We want to make sure that all participants know that their efforts have created positive results in the school district and in the community. • Create an updated directory of active neighborhood watch groups that is also an informational booklet to give residents assistance in fighting drugs in their neighborhood. The Neighborhood watch booklet is not being updated into one booldet as we thought. This project is currently on hold. Laurel will be the catalyst to get this project back on the high priority list. There is however. 500 copies of the 1997 booklet. which Leslie Chatterton in the Planning Department has. We should decide how best to distribute these. • Promote the use of Hot Spot Cards Laurel spoke with Common Council member Tracy Farrell, and the community Hot Spot cards are nearly /6 17 completed. One of the ways that this steering team can be helpful is to work together with the Common i Council's drug task force and plan a community public awareness campaign about what the card is and 9 where to get them. We can get them placed in high visibility locations like Wegmans, Tops, P&C. • Advocate community, political and religious leaders to take responsibility for drug- related treatments for youth Creating a series of brown bag lunches for clergy to help inform them about substance abuse issues. Sally Sumner of BOCES, Kit Kephart of the Alcoholism Council and Laurel Guy came up with a different concept: create a speaker's bureau that has individuals can speak on various topics. They can go to clergy meetings as well as Rotary meetings, PTA meetings, church groups and other community groups. They '0-441a4 .44G a talked about creating a list of topics, basic drug and alcohol education, treatment options. In addition, we l�� can create a packets of information that can accompany the speakers so that the people have take additional information about treatment providers in Tompkins County. Sara Hess had a very good suggestion. She described how TC3 used to put out a brochure to promote some of their lecturers and professors to do community outreach. The brochure had a list of topics that they could give presentations on. People would call and request a speaker on a specific topic. Sara thought that we could create a similar thing — we have people who could talk about various things from drug court to treatment to how to start your own parent advocacy group. We are developing a list of topics with resource people. Audrey Cooper said to add Circle of Recovery to that list. This is an excellent example of how the Drug Task can function as a catalyst to make things happen. • Change departure time of school buses to 4:00-4:15 Laurel is working on a 'fact sheet' for the School Board regarding the recommendation to have a set of late buses leave the high school. This sheet would outline the reasons why this is such an important need and why they should fund it in the next budget! Chuck Bartosch has gotten a rough cost from the Finan Committee that is much lower than was projected for running a late bus program. The figure wa $25,000,, which makes this a realistic proposal. Currently at the high school, there is the first bus run and the sec"�nd bus run is only 40 minutes later. To do the second bus run, they collapse 3 to 5 different bus runs into one. There are some legal state issues in terms of kids who normally don't take the bus. There are specific state regulations that impact the district's reimbursement rate from the state if we bus people who are too close to the school. With regard to using public transportation, i.e. TCAT, to bus kids, there are some liability issues around this even though it's after school hours. Chuck is going to get a written opinion from the school lawyers on this issue. 3. Who else should be participating on the DTF Steering Team? Laurel asked who else should be participating on the steering team. The following suggestions were given: Rev. Doug Green from the Congregational Church; Rabbi Lisa Freitag of the Ithaca Reform Temple; Rabbi Scott Glass from Temple Beth -El; Marcy Hudson from IHA's Drug Elimination Program; Mike Thomas and Aqella Shikur from Circle of Recovery; a law enforcement representative. We want to have no more than 18-20 members on the steering team to keep it a manageable size. 4. The Pros and Cons of Building a Community Coalition Chuck Bartosch suggested we reiterate the mission of the Drug Task Force Steering Team before suggesting other participants. The mission of this steering committee is: _ 1) to facilitate implementing the goals recommended in our report; 2) Create greater public awareness by forging an alliance between our schools, government and neighborhoods, and together developing strategies to reduce alcohol and other substance abuse in Ithaca and Tompkins County. Tonight's question is whether or not this can be_done-more effectively by building a community coalition. The question was raised whether participants in the coalition should be only from the City of Ithaca or can they be from the town or the county? For example should there be someone from the County Board? It might make sense to have them involved now, especially if in the future we end up working with them on county -wide programs. Chuck Bartosch asked how this steering team is defined as separate from CASA. Alan Cohen said that he saw the coalition focusing on raising and maintaining community awareness - an educational vehicle, a public relations vehicle. He did not see that group following through on all the other disparate recommendations that the original Drug Task Force report came up with. Essentially, CASA would be an outgrowth from one of the recommendations that we made. It just happens to be a very big outcome from a recommendation and merits its own group of people to focus more specifically on that task. It will take a lot of work to get it off the ground and more importantly, to maintain it. • What is the history of other similar efforts in Tompkins County? Laurel Guy said that it is informative to look back at the history of what has gone on before, to see what the positive outcomes were and to keep us from reinventing the wheel. Her intent, if we move forward with the coalition, is to build a strong, active organization that has a well-defined purpose. She passed out information on building a coalition she received from Prevention Partners, a community coalition in Rochester. They are a very strong group that has been around since 1984. They have funding to help other communities get started in this process. Mark Ashton, formed a similar coalition here in Ithaca, ironically also called CASA (Citizens Against Substance Abuse. They started a group to do community education and community awareness. It was a small group of about 30 people who met monthly for several years. Over time, this group dissolved but groups of people continued doing things. And the one group that was interested in the schools, which included Mark, the principal of Dewitt Middle school and a couple of other folks, created a strong group that devised the BOLES program that Sally Sumner and Bob Fitzsimmons run. They got the funding to start it and got it instituted. The group also published a handbook called "Parents, Kids and Drugs." This handbook for families, which was very widely used and teachers still refer to it. Its format was picked up by Gannett Clinic and made into an alcohol handbook. Laurel suggested that this handbook should be updated and republished as the education resource booklet for middle school students that is on our list of short-term goals. She will bring a copy of Mark's booklet to our next meeting. An aside: Joe Cassaniti made a comment about the Eckerd Drug Quiz Show (run by Sally Sumner). Northeast was the only Ithaca City School that participated. He suggested that the other schools assign someone from Dewitt, Boynton, and the other elementary schools to ensure participation in this program. The Northeast kids had a great experience and we should set a goal to have all the schools involved next year. Alan Cohen said that the importance of raising community awareness, the more information people have, the likely they are to have discussions with their children; the more aware they'll be about resources that are available. With regard to the CASA discussion, is that a reasonable premise? Audrey Cooper recalled that four or five years ago John Bonaguro and a group of people and community agencies tried to put together a very similar coalition. John Rowley gave some history — it was called the Community Prevention Coalition and Ithaca College was the lead agency. A comprehensive grant was written, it didn't funded and the idea of forming a community coalition was dropped. Sharon Best did not see how the coalition was different than the Drug Task Force, she felt that we are already doing it. Katrina Turek and Sara Hess agreed that the mission and intent of the Task Force fulfilled the same purpose as a coalition. They cautioned the group that a coalition can easily become a dead weight. They stressed how important it was to maintain a connection to all the people who had participated in the Drug Task Force — that we should keep the organization as it is, with the same name as opposed to creating a new organization. The general feeling at this point in the discussion was that perhaps creating a coalition was NOT the way to proceed. That instead focus so much of our energy and time on creating a new organization we should instead work through the existing organizations and small groups at the grassroots level. 5. Updates from Cornell University and Ithaca College Tim Marchell, the Substance Abuse Director at Cornell University spoke about the work that they are doing on campus. Their main problem is alcohol abuse and they have taken an environmental approach to the problem. They are in the process of implementing two strong public awareness campaigns on campus ` this semester. And they have an active group of students that are developing alternative alcohol -free activities on the weekend during 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. Tim said, "Our students can create havoc for the community, in particular during Slope Day and Senior Week. And we're port of entry for the youth into the alcohol and drug scene. We have not even begun work towards having our students explicitly work on these issues with high school students. I think there is potential there for some positive mentoring, educational activities. We have a group of students that is really actively in this." Gino Bush asked Tim if he was aware of the number of teens that frequent fraternity and sorority parties. Gino said that a common tactic, called "Favor for Flavor," is for teens to bring pot to the Greek houses and trade it for all the beer they can drink. Mike Leary, the Assistant Director forJucicial Affairs at Ithaca College, spoke about the strong commitment with regard to substance abuse issues that their new President, Peggy Williams, brings to the campus. They will be implementing a student survey-this-spring. 6. ICSD Survey Results The survey results will be released next month by the Superintendent's office. Chuck Bartosch suggested that a small group meet before March 8 to develop a strategy for how the Drug Task Force can support this„---- �. media effort. Alan Cohen, Katrina Turek, Chuck Bartosch, Laurel Guy and Sara Hess will meet and report back at the March 8 meeting. Ale16 Save the DATE! Next Meeting: Monday, March 8, 1999 5:30 p.m. *********Women's Community Building******* *Note: Next month we'll be back at City Hall 1J--8/fr cLyet,,,v-LA., 71 n'ut' L;dito°42, 1/14 -t -OL --et fa 1114A/Lici1 Community Drug Task Force 'To holistically examine drug use and abuse in our community, and develop a strategic action plan to address the issues' ASSETS \Diversity / multicultural community (5 Cops on bikes Low unemployment (3) Nutrition Environment at school a qCC Well educated community/intellect(3) %e/1 Monday night 7 p.m. Southside NA for youth Tuesday night, First Presbyterian Church, 7:30 Ala -Teen (2) We have a whole range of youth services, agencies and resources (5). Small enough community to make a difference Some substance abuse counselors providing pro bono. Community organizations(3) Service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis) (3) Philanthropic organizations Ability of our communityto organize / work together Community involvement/adult volunteers/Strong tradition of volunteerism activism(4) Community awareness. Social service talent/Diverse service agencies Intergenerational interest Natural resources (2) Student assistance team Available resources / expertise (5) p - Ithaca is a college town/ Cornell /Ithaca College / TC3 (9) -- CC/oM-P-e- -, DARE (2) BOCES Cooperative Extension Middle School Honor Society Our youth/students(lots of great kids)(4) This task force/one hundred people at this first meeting (3) Concerned school staff (3) Alternative activities Drama Productions, Athletics, Music Performances, etc. GIAC 12 -Step Program (2) Concerned Parents (2) Neighborhood Groups ACT: Area Congregations Together Hot Spot Card A4) Active recovering community reaching out in the high school The majority of young people act responsibly /peer role. models Abundance of recreational facilities Lots of concern for the problem (5) Most (not all) university/college students are good role models Treatment programs and their clients as educators Community policing (2) West End Breakfast Club Media Neighborhood Watch RIBS - Recycle Ithaca Bikes Free Community Workshop (510 W. Clinton St.) Bob Leathers Vision Cornell Coalition for the Homeless Neighborhood Kids Willard Drug Treatment Program People wiling to make changes and willing to take consequences whether good or bad Changes in the School Board and District/New administration committed_ Alternative activities plentiful Well-to-do community (2) Reasonably safe community/schools (2) Kids want to be in school (not suspended) Good therapists Teen Center Strong AA and drug addictions (2) Skate park with sober events Straight Edge Group Excellent Music (2) Spiritual avenues Commons Geographically isolated/location's 7 YiCJare, (e -ss a"`' ' Good health care Compassionate law enforcement Elementary and two years middle school Opportunities for younger children Teen Center as a.model. Need money/leadership. Good school system Strong religious community/houses of worship(4) OBSTACLES Problem Landlords (2) Lip service by politicians /Elected officials accountability(2) Recidivism Weapons Youth resources need coordination, a joint strategy A lot of money for recreational drug use (2) Need more services/treatment facilities for substance abuse issues (5) We do not hire within city/ community to provide services Human Service Providers Law enforcement is overwhelmed Money / economy / poverty (3) Cornell - Ithaca College (3) Lack of Family Time Past History Courts/Criminal Justice System (Too lenient, misdirected):(11) Geographical makeup of District Lack of school spirit and pride Poor school reputation Not enough health education - starting at kindergarten Teacher - student distance Not enough outrage! No re-entry process Overall attitude about drugs Misinformation and lack of information Drugs/Dealing is big business (2) Being high feels better than harsh reality(3) Disconnected organizations Reinventing the wheel Lack of training of volunteers Fear of confrontation, retaliation 2 Cleanliness of city Treatment vs. Consequences Lack of coordination of services/Duplication of services Turf issues (2) Confusion between consequences and punishment Quick decisions - no one willing to take a risk Glamorize alcohol and drug use (atheletes, models etc) No drug-free hangout place that is safe (2) DEEBS Funding - including insurance restrictions. No halfway house Little group support for youth Lack of identity of developmental problems Lack of consensus /knowledge of what to do Lack of established expectations (what is acceptable in Ithaca?) Collegetown, Slope Day, number of bars Number of bars that serve minors - fake IDs. Lack of proper realistic drug education - not D.A.R.E. and Drug Free America Religious groups barred from school External influences Size of IHS (3) Some laws restrict enforcement, discipline Lack of clear school policies and procedures Stress in students lives Lack of financial resources to direct at problem(3) School failure for students, dropout rate. Teachers Turnover of administrators ICSD/IHS Lack of results for effort Complacency / malaise Teen needs and culture - belong, boundary" testing (2) Cornell University wages are substandard Outreach centers for outside Ithaca areas Focus on individual rights to a point that is too permissive Access to substances easy (e.g. fraternity parties) (4) Indecisiveness Lack school rules on cell phones, pagers, etc. Police afraid/constrained from enforcing laws (e.g. truancy, loitering, possession)(4) Families who abuse themselves Lack of mission statement that emphasizes school's purpose rather than rights Small percentage of students requires high percentage of teacher resources Limitations on some tools (e.g. drug sniffing dogs) Too much tolerance for drug and alcohol use (4) Open campus (6) YMCA is not community accessible - too expensive The Haunt - cultural environment that accepts and expects drug use blaming others, school blames home; home blames school; schools blame each other Lack of education for school staff re: symptoms and signs of drug use Lack of information within the school - including all staff/ parents /children.. No safety valve for families /schools - to address problems before explosive Guest speakers not age-related (school systems) Enabling laws (sixteen year olds can be out all night) curfews (2) Race bias/stereotyping Unsupervised social activities Self-interest Title laws r Lack of access to the community centers Difficulties making social connections Drug awareness program not available during orientation Poor role models Diversity DARE Program - based on fear and unrealistic stereotypes Unclear messages from adults Commons Heterogenity We say all drugs are bad, then see alcohol/pot smoking at home. Loss of budget money for youth programs Working partnership between school/community cut off due to money/turf issues Lack of decent jobs, service opportunities for teenagers Money - many kids have more money than they need The schools themselves (physical layout, inept security guards, inaction of school board)( )3 Population (college, transient, immigrant): 4 Parents (inaction/acceptance/sanctioning of behaviors, unwillingness to talk):(7) Lack of parental supervision (6) Media/cultural acceptance (coolness of drugs)(6) Apathy / tolerance / denial(16) Law enforcement (Lack of serious effort/dedication of resources by IPD, Sheriff) (5)° Lack of volunteerism Low self-esteem among youth WHO NEEDS TO BE HERE Journalists/media(4) College educators/college students(14) More youth/at-risk youth/high school & middle school students (15) Board of Education (5) Labor/Unions Reflectdiversity of community(race, ethnic, socio-econ, geography(rural &urban).(8) Parents / grandparents / blended families / foster care parents (11) Service providers(those working with teens) / teen therapists /child activists (4) Police officers/ community police officers/ DARE / IPD/ State Police / Sheriff/ IC/ CU(13) Politicians/legislators/policy makers/Common Council/TC Board of Reps(7) Family development specialists More teachers /teacher's union reps(6) Youth who are involved in drugs (2) People who are in recovery/Rehab vets (3) People who are in economic, emotional pain/low-income community Neighborhood Watch groups/neighborhood organizations(4) . Recreation dept. /City and County Youth Bureau(10) Planning Board /Zoning Board /Building Dept Clergy/youth workers in religous institutions (11) Bar owners /.club owners /liquor shops /Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association (7) Landlords(3) Kids who hang out on the Commons . Inner city folks - Southside Mental Health (2) Senior Citizens(3) Someone to explain what is in use now to deter and/or punish drug use Area businesses (downtown(BID), mall, collegetown), Chamber of Commerce, Realtors(14) Treatment (includes recovering addicts, drug abuse counselors, psychologists, .alanon, al a teen, narc anon, treatment center reps, ex -offenders, drug/health educators)(10) DSS, EOC, Child Protective Services, IHA, Family & Children's Services)(10) Agencies (Suicide Prevention, OAR, INNS, CDRC, Homes,YAP & L Web. S Army)(7) Youth Centers (includes GIAC, South Side, YMCA, Teen Center, La Forza) Legal (lawyers, judges, law guardian's office, prosecutors, probation, city attorney)(8) Service organizations (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Elks, Masons(4) Youth Coaches/ Athletic Booster Clubs(3) Medical Community (includes physicians, hospital,managed care, representatives)(5) Advertisers (tobacco & alcohol) Advocacy groups (including NORML at CU, THINK at IC), civil libertarians Youth Homes (including George Junior, Lansing School for Girls) Jeff Furman WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE Parents/caretakers must set examples - expectations Increase education for parents (e.g. Step program)(3) Peer intervention (hot line, self-analysis programs, forum for clean & sober kids to connect) Drug programs at middle and high schools, not just elementary/start them earlier(7) Educate kids about morals Life Skills Program/independent living skills programs(5) Increased involvement, accountability and consequences for parents, educators(8) Close campus /Keep non -students off school grounds /improve security around school (14) Increase after-school activities Special tax, use to focus on task force issues Exit interviews for all students/parents Money for early identification of high-risk students Stop use of entry level drugs - nicotine, alcohol More structure in high school Use 'lice' procedures for medical health programs We need to define what has been done Expand hours, increase volunteers Publicity to increase visibility (free if possible) Transportation - free, school buses, Cornell buses, Gadabouts, church vans To make it safe for young people to participate (not just police - willing, loving concerned adults, neighbors) Beef up neighborhood watch programs(3) Identify why young people use drugs We lie to our kids, we should be educating them to differences in destructiveness of drugs Mentors/ kids need positive role models, teaching and modeling personal responsibility(14) Provide work related training More adult involvement in teens' lives Reallocation of money; from incarceration to preventive education Affordable family activities Treat cigarettes as drug / smoking elimination(2) Promote more peer education/get more youth involved(5). Provide incentives to promote families, establish environment for 1 parent to stay home Jail programs for youth Provide musical education More youth centers/more youth & teen programs(3) Clinics, colleges (Ithaca, Cornell) active in the community drug problem. Improve living standard's of parents who work at Cornell. Strict rules(school), consistent rules, drug enforcement policy Communication with users, and dealers Mandated drug programs (treatment/community services.) Approach with more truthful discussions/ do not sugar coat it Offer to help others. Consistency/zero tolerance Use dogs in school (2) Urine tests legal Agency collaboration and roles known - mentoring/supportive relationships in IHS Parent -teacher support ICSD policies to empower teachers Prevention - end alienating environment, too impersonal, big Hear more from students and what they're facing; pervasiveness and level of threat to them/ environment Change in climate and severe consequences See what other communities are doing - successes elsewhere? Staff development for those working with kids DARE -like programs or better programs; more information/less propaganda Education --messages that .kids can hear and be involved with, personal testimonies(2) Take a look at the values of the family Make time for kids Look at what other countries are doing, (i.e. Youth Corp., giving back to their community) Looking at making the dealing less profitable Flyers handed out; individuals personalize the outreach. Look at living conditions --homeless, directionless young people Develop stronger structure of behavioral expectations and consequences in schools Do not try to address the entire world of social problems, (At least in this task force) Teachers to receive more information on known problem students Examine some way of having administrative punishment for possession - either school or via court/law enforcement agencies. Beef up treatment programs (Alcoholism Council does not treat kids) A kind of support system - teachers, families, friends Pressure colleges to control/monitor campus activities Pressure fraternities/sororities to be more strict about high school students at parties No more silent parents about drugs to kids Better communication between parents and children, youth and community Ways to make IHS & ACS campus drug free and safe Support for kids who are or choose to be drug free Disciplinary committee - We need more severe consequences; holistic program (2) Change Senior Week Media coverage -more visibility, realistic about drug use, truth about deaths, accidents Inner school (interschool) drug incidents, Sharing - no sweeping under the rug - within school - promotes blame and shame Program for kids (rehab returnees) to meet and reconnect when coming home. Sober room, SAFE houses for kids. Make a building a pullout school for those who are kicked out - intensive rehabilitation in place they grew up and live in. Mandatory meeting - weekly/bi-monthly with at risk kids. Kids and facilitator Boundaries! Adult -enforced After 11 p.m. better responsiveness from police, et al; no fear of reprisals No returns to seven years,but reduce demand Condemn drug usage, criticize/public condemnation/moral judgement, stigmatic Task force needs to establish power/need organization to continue Rents Facilitate communication between youth, parents, recovering addicts(2) Run a column by addicts to tell about their tragedy/addiction Get together with one another and communicate(4) Unified front against parents who condone/ tolerate drug use(3) Educate yourself about drugs and signs of drug use and the consequences(2) Invite speakers to talk to youth about their experiences with addiction/recovery/ tragedy(5) Cut-off access/supply of drugs to schools & community(4) Community service initiatives(4) Investigate alternatives to DARE (Life Skills), what works?(2) Identify use/sale areas near the school(5) Positive alternatives to drugs (generate a sense of ownership among youth, parents, others thru community service initiative, build self-esteem, teen center)(13) Curfew(3) Local drug rehab center/treatment options for .youth/ addiction .agencies(3) Ongoing communication between all parties /work together/ establish network(7) Make IPD aware of drug use/sale areas(5) Educate self/Peer groups to change coolness of drugs(4) Alternatives to jail (community service)(3) Drug hotline(3) Bettercommunication between IPD Sr communities regardingwhat's going on(4) • Get tougher/increase arrests(4) Pass new laws to address the problems(5) Community service as alternative to jail(3) Recognize that 'Just say No' does not work(3) No blame(2) Regional approach (not isolated to the City of Ithaca)(2) Survey of use in our community necessary Reduce truancy Community Drug Task Force 'To holistically examine drug use and abuse in our community, and develop a strategic action plan to address the issues' Updated draft blueprint (based on task force input to date5 / 19 / 97) Youth education -comprehensive curriculum (PK -12), DARE, Life Skills, others to be explored School culture -policies, truancy, open campus, interdiction, teacher support & education Treatment -medical services & mental health, availability of (programs & professionals) Community action -neighborhood watches, drug houses, drug hotline Justice system -courts, prosecution, probation, alternatives to incarceration, 1PD agenda & methodology Support structures(for families, individuals), Safe Homes, Safe Havens, peer programs(education, & intervention), services & programs Public outreach -media, p.r., advocacy, community ,involvement & culture Parent education -awareness, knowledge, communication, support College influences -fraternities & sororities, Slope Day, college bars Government initiatives -local, state & federal, what other communities are doing Environmental factors -lighting, graffiti, garbage, noise, loitering Socio-economic factors(access to resources) -health care, living conditions, nutrition • - individual components to be addressed by working groups Alternative activities -youth programs & services -to be covered by another task.. force Recommendations made by the Community Drug Task Force from the Interim Report on the Community Drug Task Force Short Term Proposals and Recommendations • Develop an educational/resource booklet for middle school students about substance abuse. (Youth Education; p. 4) Status: Check w/ Sara Hess • Survey students and teachers to gather community based data on local conditions and trends. (Youth Education; p. 5) Status: To be administered in Nov. • Allow the Parent Education Action Team to speak at ICSD PTA meetings. (PEAT; p. 8) Status: • Hire Cayuga Role Players to perform at schools on drug related issues. __ /VA (ibid.) Status: Funding issue d rici‘e • Advocate community political and religious leaders to take responsibility for drug-�� related treatments for youth. (Treatment; p.10) Status: Start round table discussions leading to action • Create a directory of the active neighborhood association and watch groups. (Community; p. 13) Status: In progress, being updated • Develop an informational booklet to give community residents assistance in fighting drugs in their neighborhoods. (ibid.) Status: In progress, being revised • Provide local seminars at the neighborhood level on "how to report a crime." (ibid.) Status: • Promote use of "Hot Spot Cards" by campaigning, implementing it as an anonymous service in schools, and including "hot spot cards" in a packet of material with Section 8 Housing program materials. (Community; p.14) Status: Katrina, school level; develop a community- wide campaign • Create a signed agreement by students involved in sports, clubs and long standing activities to abstain from the use of drugs (tobacco and alcohol included.) (School Culture Environment; p. 18) Status: change to intermediate goal; increase student participation; add business incentives • Change departure time of school buses to 4:00-4:15 to allow more time for extracurricular activities. (SCE; p. 19) Status: Contact Paul Mintz/Dave Bacarat to change times; Alan Cohen/ arrange free TCAT from school 7 • Adopt a no open container rule in the ICSD schools. (ibid.) Status: Check with Elaine Little • Monitor rest rooms/cafeteria in the schools for drug trafficking. (SCE; p. 20) Status: Elaine Little bringing to principles' meeting • Create a clear policy regarding use of drugs in schools so that all staff, students and parents understand the policy and the consequences of violating them. (SCE; p. 21) Status: revisiting procedures, not implemented consistently. • Supplement DARE program with judges and lawyers speaking in classrooms as well as expand the program into the middle schools. (Justice System; p. 30) Status: • Locate and distribute a national survey on drug issues for the Ithaca area. (Survey; p. 32) Status: Rocky Mountain Survey Intermediate Term Proposals and Recommendations • Improve drug education in ICSD. (Youth Education; p. 5) Status: Randy Ehrenberg/Katrina Turek • Include drug education in the School to Work program. (ibid.) Status: Katrina Turek • Incorporate the concepts of family and culture into training, counseling and treatment services provided in the community. (Treatment; p. 9) Status: • Establish a consortium of neighborhood associations and watch groups into the form of a neighborhood council or forum. (Community and Government Initiatives; p. 13 & 26) Status: Done • Inviting and encouraging landlords to be involved in the neighborhoods they own or manage. (Community; p. 13) Status: Short tern initiative; Just had landlord training w/ James Barbett; also training community trainers to continue effort • Train and sensitize IPD dispatchers to the needs of some residents. (Community; p. 14) Status: Alan Cohen/Mike Vitucci working w/ Chief Basile v • Promote and build neighborhood -police relationships (Community; p. 150 Status: Ongoing • Create a "closed campus" as well as arrange for academic schedules to be uninterrupted. (SCE; p. 17) Status: Katrina Turek/ICSD issue; also need to research local truancy laws • Establish an IHS parking lot gate to monitor student arrivals and departures. (ibid.) Status: Elaine Little/Katrina Turek looking at other school models • Increase funds and support for intramural sports and after school activities. (ibid.) Status: Talk to Bill Bryan • Bring drug dogs to inspect student lockers. (SCE; p. 19) Status: Katrina Turek and Judith Pastel; Alan Cohen to speak to IHS student council • Increase staff intervention of students suspected of being impaired by drugs. (ibid.) Status: Mark Ashton • Establishment of drug free zones: extend District policing authority beyond boundaries and expand drug free school zones past federally mandated areas. (SCP; p. 22) Status: MarkAshton/Judith Pastel • Drug Awareness Street Festival focused on downtown; involving college/high school students, GIAC and West End businesses and individuals. (Public Outreach; p. 24) Status: Create interactive booth display that could be set up at any special event/festival • IPD: trade time with other departments on a quid -pro -quo basis. (Justice System; p. 25) Status: John Rowley /clarify quid -pro -quo • Create a "Youth Court" with sentencing of community service by a jury of their peers and implement a school wide mock trial program to teach students about the legal system. (Justice; p. 29) Status: John Rowley/active committee • Create a formal process where concerned citizens would receive updates regarding prosecutions. (Justice: p. 30) Status: Bruce Estes/Talk w/ Ithaca Journal • Long Term Proposals and Recommendations • Improve training and support for teachers through forums. (Youth Education; p. 6) Status: Make part of Superintendent's Conference Day • Create a treatment model, which includes a residential treatment option (halfway house), as well as the creation of a subcommittee to pursue research on the feasibility of establishing a halfway house in Ithaca for adolescents. (Treatment; p. 10) Status: Sara Hess; Community Block Grant issue • IPD: Create satellites in city neighborhoods, a canine unit and a mobile satellite unit. (Community; p. 15) Status: Northside satellite • Create a community watch program with the City of Ithaca Dept. of Public Works employees. (Community; p. 16) Status: Research other communities • Introduce a reintegration program for students returning to school after drug rehabilitation. (SCE; p. 20) Status: Make part of drug counselor program • Ensure consistent enforcement of policies and rules regarding drugs. (SCP; p. 21) Status: • Place priority on increasing law enforcement budgets. (Justice; p. 31) Status: John Rowley; group advocacy issue • Expand training for probation officers and DSS caseworkers. (ibid.) Status: • Continue support for the Ithaca City Drug Court team. (ibid.) Status: group advocacy issue; funding issue Nicotine Use 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Ithaca Students Who Have Never Smoked Cigarettes 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th Graders Ithaca Students Who Smoke Daily 6th Graders 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th Graders Cigarette Use by Ithaca City School District Students 6th 8th • 10th 12th Graders Graders Graders Graders Never Used 89% 65% 54% 41% Use or have used but less than daily 10% 29% 40% 47% Smoke less than 1/2 pack daily 1% 4% 4% 7% Smoke more than 1/2 pack daily < 1% 2% 2% 5% 101% 100% 100% 100% Comparison to 12th Graders in U.S Ithaca: 12% use daily U.S. average: 25% use daily Source: The American Drug and Alochol Survey, conducted for the Ithaca City School District, 1998-99 - DRUGUSE2.XLS Nicotine Tompkins County Youth Bureau Patterns 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 - 50 0 Estimated Number of Students at 3 Levels of Drug Involvement 6th Graders 7th Graders 8th Graders 9th Graders Oth Graders 11th 12 Graders Graders m low ® moderate 0 high Estimated numbers of students at each level of involvement: 6th Graders 7th Graders 8th Graders 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12 Graders low 409 447 409 351 334 278 208 moderate 22 48 69 86 113 116 107 high 3 8 12 29 49 62 65 total 434 503 490 466 496 455 380 See prior page for definitions of each level of involvement. Note: numbers for grades 7, 9, 11 were estimated, calculated using the mid -point percentage between adjacent grades; for example, 94% of 6th graders reported low involvement, and 84% of 8th graders, so we estimated half way between (or 89%) for 7th graders. This table estimates that 205 high schoolers and 23 middle schoolers have high drug involvement. Source: American Drug and Alcohol Survey, 1998-99, conducted for the Ithaca City School District DRUGUSE2.XLS Patterns Tompkins County Youth Bureau 1 Drug Involvement 100% 90% 80% - 70% 60% 50%, 40% 30%. 20% 10% 0% Level of Drug Involvement of Ithaca District Students 6th Graders 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th Graders DHigh ■ Moderate 1 D Low 1 Percent of Ithaca District Students at each level of involvement 6th 8th 10th 12th Graders Graders Graders Graders Low 94% 84% 67% 55% Moderate 5% 14% 23% 28% High 1% 3% 10% 17% Definitions: Low involvement -- includes students who a) have never tried any drug; or b) have tried a drug but are not using drugs now; or c) use some alcohol but rarely, if ever, get drunk and have not tried any other drugs. Moderate involvement -- includes students who a) use marijuana occasionally; or b) use drugs other than marijuana, but rarely use any drug more than once a month; or c) use alcohol occasionally as well as marijuana High involvement -- includes students who a) use any drug (except tobacco) every day, or combinations of drugs daily; or b) use stimulants regularly; or c) use marijuana often and in Targe amounts; or d) drink alcohol every week and get drunk frequently Source: The American Drug and Alcohol Survey, conducted for the Ithaca City School District, 1998-99 DRUGUSE2.XLS Level -involved Tompkins County Youth Bureau 5% 1O% 14% 17% 23°Io'.. ;�ii 28% 9J4/0�, ..cL 6th Graders 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th Graders DHigh ■ Moderate 1 D Low 1 Percent of Ithaca District Students at each level of involvement 6th 8th 10th 12th Graders Graders Graders Graders Low 94% 84% 67% 55% Moderate 5% 14% 23% 28% High 1% 3% 10% 17% Definitions: Low involvement -- includes students who a) have never tried any drug; or b) have tried a drug but are not using drugs now; or c) use some alcohol but rarely, if ever, get drunk and have not tried any other drugs. Moderate involvement -- includes students who a) use marijuana occasionally; or b) use drugs other than marijuana, but rarely use any drug more than once a month; or c) use alcohol occasionally as well as marijuana High involvement -- includes students who a) use any drug (except tobacco) every day, or combinations of drugs daily; or b) use stimulants regularly; or c) use marijuana often and in Targe amounts; or d) drink alcohol every week and get drunk frequently Source: The American Drug and Alcohol Survey, conducted for the Ithaca City School District, 1998-99 DRUGUSE2.XLS Level -involved Tompkins County Youth Bureau Percent of Ithaca City School District Students and 12th Graders Across the Country Who Have Used Each Drug in the Last Month Alcohol Been Drunk Cigarettes Smokeless Tobacco Marijuana Cocaine Stimulants**** Inhalants Nitrites Downers** Hallucinogens PCP Heroin Narcotics other than heroin (1998-99) 6th 8th 10th 12th Graders Graders Graders Graders 8% <1% 4% 1% 22% 4% 20% 16% 21% 32% 3% 3% 3% 0% <1% 0% <1% <1 % 3% <1% 2% 0% 0% <1% <1% <1% <1% 0% <1% 0% <1 % 1% 2% 2% <1% 0% 0% <1% 0% 0% 0% <1 % <1% <1 % Source: The American Drug and Alcohol SurveyTM * The national data on 12th graders are from the Monitoring the Future surveys conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse by the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 1997. * * Use of these drugs under a doctor's orders is not included in these figures. * * * * In 1998 this figure was changed to include methamphetamine use. In prior years, methamphetamine use was not included in the calculation of stimulant use. Information about crack methamphetamines, and smokeless tobacco is presented in Part 111. Circled items: Items are circled if the Ithaca City School District students have an equal or higher percentage of students using the drug than the national average for that grade level. Community Resource Index abortion, 6 abusive relationships, 7 adoption, 3. AIDS, 1, 5 AIDS WORK OF TOMPKINS COUNTY, 1 alcohol, 1 ALCOHOLISM COUNCIL OF 'TOMPKINS COUNTY, 1 ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE PROJECT, 1 BRIDGES FOR YOUTH AND • FAMILIES, 2 BROOM DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES, 2 'CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PROJECT, 2 COMMUNITY DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER, 3 Community Mentors, 3 conflict, 1 CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 3 counseling, 3 developmental delays, 6 developmental disabilities, 2, 6 drug; 1 emotional and behavioral difficulties, 6 FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICE OF ITHACA, 3 family difficulties, 2 HIV,1 leadership, 3 maternity, 4 mental health, 3 mental retardation, 2 ONE-TO-ONE, 4 play therapy, 3 PREGNANCY CENTER, ITHACA, 4 pregnant women, 4 RAPE CRISIS, ITHACA, 4 runaway,2 sexual abuse, 2 sexual assault, 2, 4. sexual harassment, 4 SIBLINGS ARE SPECIAL, 5 SKYLIGHT CLUB, 5 SOUTHERN TIER AIDS PROGRAMS, 5 SPECIAL CHILDREN'S CENTER, INC., 6 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND CRISIS SERVICE, 6 TASK FORCE FOR BATTERED WOMEN, 7 TEEN PREGNANCY PARENTING PROGRAM, 6 traumatic experience, 6 violence, 1, 3 This Resource Guide to Local Agencies and Other Supports was completed by student intern LiTing Cheng, August 1998 8/01/99 11894 FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS PROGRAM 006135 200.00 TOTAL: 200.00 THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND, ULTRAVIOLET FIBERS AND AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK ON THE BACK PAY TO THE ORDER OF Tompkins County Trust Company P.O. Box 460, Ithaca, NY 14851 50-264 213 TOMPKINS COUNTY No. 006135 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE COMMUNITY DRUG TASK 'FORCE 00000 TRUST COMPANY ITHACA, NY CHECK NO. I PATE 6135 8/12/99 CHECK AMOUNT ******200.00 TWO HUNDRED & NO/100 AUTH / ' IZED SIGNATURE 1000 6 13 511' 1:0 2130 26 481:0 L 20 511190000 311' TIMEtltIE Far Parsnj Edut atgolli ACtiOn l eatn$ "Frlends and Neighbors Groups" 1999-2000 Se1tlte it►ej 1999 gctipber Novamllar Dumber January 2000 Fabrufaty March April May .June 1!, +. 'N A' N' 4. i , t/ \ . Bob Fitzsimmons TST Lardel Guy/ Parent Action Y \ 1". .,, Early October — Training of FacI ta- f S Facilitators hold ses- Sion In own home 1/4. 1 1 Friends and Neighbors Groups commence 4 .S Friends and Neighbors groUps continue 1, !." Feature Story Ithaca Tidies on sessions e Outreach to sport team parents .f: 'J Friends and Neighbors groups continue ,4" Friends'and Neighbors groups cdntinue / . ,1: Evaluation begins early June Recruit 10-15 Facilitators Practice Sessions for the Facilitators Outrepoh to parents Parent Actin Team 10.10 sessions are held early Oeceniber Facilitators keep recgrds Friends and Neigh- burs groyps continue Odtreach to area youth group parents Parent Action Team reamit hosts Records are reviewed by Laurel Guy Ithaca School District Announces plan at PT/1 Ithaca Journal Article for promotidn Facilitators meeting to review materials Friends and Neigh- bors groups ocntinue . 6 month Evaluation for the November groups ICSp promotes plan within each school yfi Proposal to the Parent Education Action Committee Community Drug Task Force We know that adults turn to friends and family they trust for important information and help. This is true whether someone with a toothache is looking for a dentist or a parent is trying to keep their youth from getting involved with alcohol and other drugs. Why not borrow this natural mode of support, add a bit of structure, and educate parents about substance abuse prevention? The concept is to encourage and facilitate discussion in at-home gatherings among parents, friends and neighbors. The goal is to increase knowledge about the protective factors for youth, including - information about alcohol and drug use - communication about expectations, boundaries and standards for the young people who are loved by this particular group of adults The Tupperware -type setting (including refreshments) can be a vehicle for information, support, and reinforcement for positive family values that has many advantages over traditional parent education trainings. Friends and Neighbors Groups informal home-based the host invites their closest friends, family or neighbors everyone knows each other everyone knows the host's child(ren) everyone has a stake in protecting the host's child(ren) leader is a peer, trained parent group is small, 4-8 people active learning, focuses on discussion Traditional Parent Education Groups formal or semi -formal in a school, church, community place recruitment is through flyers, announcements, referrals usually strangers, maybe acquaintances people don't know one another's children everyone has a stake in protecting their own child(ren)'s leader is a professional group is usually 10-15 more passive learning, focuses on listening Friends and Neighbors Groups people will see one another in daily life, with opportunities for on-going dialogue and support discussion follows interests of the group one-time, with options for more meetings Here's a proposed action plan. Traditional Parent Education Groups people may never see one another again discussion follows the course outline can be one-time, sometimes a series of 4-6 classes A. Recruit 10 -15 people who are interested in supporting other parents with accurate and useful information about how families can prevent drug use among their children. These people become Facilitators. The main responsibility of a Facilitator is to help people exchange ideas in meaningful ways. After training, they are paid $20.00 for each Friends and Neighbors Group they lead, to cover gas, copying, minor expenses. B. Train Facilitators, as a group, in 4 steps. Bob Fitzsimmons, director of the TST BOCES PREP/SAS program has agreed that this plan is feasible and sufficient. Step 1. Bob Fitzsimmons demonstrates the activities and talk he gives to parent groups on this topic. 90 minute session Also: Facilitators read a few articles on how parents can prevent drug abuse. Step 2. Bob teaches more in-depth material, including research on prevention, typical questions that come up, and how to guide parents toward services if youth are already involved with alcohol and other drugs Facilitators practice leading the activities. 90 minute session Step 3. Each facilitator hosts a gathering in his/her home, inviting their. close friends, family or neighbors. Facilitator practices leading first discussion with that group, hopefully a friendly audience. Step 4. Bob meets again with the facilitators after they have practiced with their own friends, to answer questions, and help with any problems that have come up. 90 minute session. Bob remains available for support, phone consultation, follow-up trainings if needed. C. Announce and promote the idea, including the availability of trained facilitators, through the Ithaca Journal, Schools, PTA's, the network of the Community Drug Task Force, etc. and invite people to host a Family and Neighbors Group in their own home. The Task Force Coordinator (Laurel) will connect the hosts with the Facilitators, and pay out the $20.00 stipends. Ideally, we would have Facilitators in all parts of the County so we can link them to requests in their own towns or communities. D. Evaluation Plan: 1. Each Friends & Neighbors Group concludes with a simple, 5 -minute pencil and paper evaluation form, which is collected and data compiled by the Parent Education Committee. During the first year, we continually review the feedback information to make changes and improve the approach. 2. Good records are kept by the Task Force Coordinator on the numbers of - Facilitators trained - Friends & Neighbors groups that meet - people who attend - groups that requested a 2nd group meeting Also, - location of Friends & Neighbors groups - expenses of the project - time required for coordination 3. 6 -month follow up evaluation. We send a 1 -page evaluation to each host 6 months after the Friend & Neighbor Group, asking if the event has made any difference in attitudes or behaviors of parents, other adults, or youth.