MASSAC COUNTY DRUG AWARENESS COALITION PROGRAM TO WORK WITH REDUCTION IN YOUTH ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA USE. - The Massac County Drug Awareness (MCDAC) came into existence at a time when the consequences of drinking and the use of drugs were seen through suicides and in accidental deaths. Parents got concerned, law enforcement did all they could, educators became even more watchful of their students, and the public really thought someone should do something. MCDAC was formed and key community members began working together to strategize and seek possible solutions. Unfortunately, the public became complacent, students seemed to become better at hiding their risky behaviors, law enforcement budgets were trimmed, and educators became over worked. However, the Illinois Youth Survey continued to show risky student behaviors. While parents continued to talk with their sons and daughters about alcohol abuse, about drug abuse, and about riding with someone who was “high”, students openly admitted their parents would not know if they went to a party and drank, or if they rode with someone who was high, or drove a vehicle while high.
MCDAC, with the funding from this grant, desires to bring change to the Massac community; change to make a positive impact on the risky behaviors of students in regard to alcohol use/abuse, and marijuana use/abuse. Collaborative relationships have been established with law enforcement, educators, community groups, parents, and students themselves. Through MCDAC, programs will be provided to students to help them say no to drug use, parents will learn that hosting alcohol, even on private property, carries legal consequences, and students will change their perception that everyone “does it” meaning alcohol and marijuana. In reality, not everyone uses drugs nor drinks alcohol illegally; the percentage of non-users is high. But the risky behaviors of use is of great concern for each life that could be potentially impacted by the consequences of poor choices from a student who is “high” on alcohol or drugs.
MCDAC will accomplish their objectives by expanding the presence and role of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC). YAC will expand from just being at Massac County High School into Massac County Junior High and the Joppa Junior and Senior High Schools. Interagency meetings of county service providers will be re-instituted. Evidence-based programs will be selected and introduced to students to offer social-emotional skills training, to help students develop decision-making skills, and to ultimately impact the skills student possess in resisting risky behaviors associated with alcohol and drugs.
