DRUG FREE COMMITTEE Improving our Community through being Proactive - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

DRUG FREE COMMITTEE Improving our Community through being Proactive

Why? ■ WHY NOT? Drugs are in our community and we believe that together, we can start to make a positive impact and help our citizens make educated choices. ■ We are tired of being sad and scared of situations we experience with people in our community being exposed to substance abuse. ■ It is coming our way…Fairfield County video. ■ In fact, it is here. Drug O.D Calls Assist Squad K9 2013 3 2 NA 2014 1 1 NA 2015 5 9 7 2016 12 14 30

Who is on the task force? This is a grass roots committee formed by citizens in this community who live, work, play and raise children here: ■ Business leaders ■ Police Department ■ Fire Department ■ School ■ Mayor ■ Ministerial association ■ City Council members

What is the mission of this group? ■ To work together to provide community-based solutions to help individuals within our community to become educated about substance abuse and to assist with prevention. ■ Education ■ Prevention ■ Treatment

What is a Drug Free Club? ■ Students VOLUNTARILY (with parent permission), agree to submit to a mandatory drug test at the beginning of the school year and 5 random tests throughout the remainder of the year. ■ Upon a successful first screening, students will be given a card denoting they are a member of the drug-free club. ■ Being in the group makes students eligible for prizes and rewards. Some examples include: – Preferred parking – Raffles – School based perks – Community Reward

How does it work? ■ Student registers with parent signature and pays a pre-determined amount. ■ Tested on an unannounced day during the school day (organization will work much like our blood drives) ■ Student submits to a test overseen by collection officials and returns to class. ■ Collection agents do a quick screen. If it is negative, sample is discarded. If it is possible, it is sent to a lab for additional testing. ■ If the lab finds a positive test, a Chief Medical Officer makes contact with the parents. The school is never informed of test results. ■ A non-sanctioned positive test results in parents mailing back the Drug-Free card and being paired with an independent counselor. – Our task force is attempting to create local resources for this counselor.

Cost of Drug Free Club ■ Cost i is $ $67 per student, paid through a website to the national organization. We hope to offset the cost with local businesses and contributions to make it $20 p per student. – Licking Memorial has already pledged to cover the cost for 10% of total high school student body to be tested. – Licking Memorial will also donate the collection services. ■ Cost t to t the s school = A sub for the voluntary advisor a few days a year to assist with the collection process.

Reasons that students volunteer to join ■ Looks good on college transcripts and job applications ■ Gives another outlet to avoid peer pressure and to “Just say no” ■ The perks and rewards ■ Want to stand up for what they believe is right ■ Encouragement from parents

Benefits for the school ■ Promote and reward students for voluntarily proving their drug-free status. ■ Decrease student drug use – Improve attendance – Decreased disciplinary issues – Improved academics ■ Become vocal and proactive with our stance on expectations for students. ■ The intent would be to eventually grow this to the middle school level.

How do I sign up? ■ Go to: https://drugfreeclubs.com/apply-for-membership/ ■ Select “Watkins Memorial” ■ Select between two payment option: – The full price of the program is $67. If you are willing and able to pay that amount so that fundraising efforts can be used for other students, we appreciate the support. – We have an option of a $20 enrollment because we don’t want any student turned away due to the cost of the program. The remainder of the funds will be raised by local entities.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! Go Warriors!!!