The subject areas were:
Keynote session - ND National Guard with the ROPES presentation (working
together, building teamwork)
Session 1: Bullying
Session 2: Relationships/Boundaries
Session 3: Drug/Alcohol Addictions
103 grades 5-7 attended 2008 Safe Night. The theme was Las Vegas - What
Happens at Safe Night, Stays at Safe Night.
The Emmons County Interagency, as part of the Region VII Safe and Drug Free Communities held a community program on underage drinking on April 29th at the Linton Community Center . A survey taken at last year’s community program indicated a need and desire to continue these programs in our community.
Shannon Nieuwsma reviewed the following comments from last year’s survey: parents feel that the leading cause of underage drinking is that parents and our community are too accepting of drinking. When questioned about what can be done, the responses from the survey thought that there should be more law enforcement, a change the attitude of parents and youth in our community in regard to drinking and more activities for youth that don‘t involve drinking.
Becca Gerhardt, Coordinator of Region VII Safe and Drug Free Communities, presented information on adolescents and alcohol use. Alcohol kills more adolescents than all other drugs combined. North Dakota was number one in the states for alcohol use in the past month among people who are ages 12-17.
Recent scientific research indicates that alcohol takes a greater toll on brain development for those under age 21 because of the huge changes taking place in the adolescent brain. The damage to the brain includes impacting memory and learning capabilities and some of this damage is irreversible. Other concerns with underage drinking include a negative impact on decision making capabilities, impulse control and the lowering of inhibitions which increase risk taking behavior in adolescents such.
Gary Sanders, Emmons County Sheriff indicated that he was surprised by the amount of underage drinking when he moved to the area in 1994. The trend since he has been here has been to move some of the larger out door parties to occupied farmsteads or homes to avoid law enforcement. Gary related there were 65 alcohol related arrests in Emmons County in 2007. Forty-one of those were minor in possession or minor in consumption.
Gary also cautioned parents that adults who contribute or host parties-even allowing kids to party on their property -can be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor. Above the legal implications, parents take on a huge liability issue.
Becca indicated that there needs to be more education and a change of attitude of underage drinking in our communities. Many parents feel that allowing their kids to drink underage curbs their desire to binge drink in college. This is not backed up by evidence. Of concern however is that the younger a person begins to drink, the higher the chance they have of becoming alcohol dependent, four times higher than for adults who didn‘t drink until they were age 21.
Terry Elhard spoke of underage drinking being an issue in McIntosh County also. He said that most crimes are committed when people are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Interagency also helped sponsor Danae’s Song, a school lyceum attended by all three schools in the county. This program is a mother’s story about her daughter’s death in a drunk driving collision and the impact this had on the family and the community. The Bank of Hazelton, BNC National Bank, Strasburg State Bank, KEM Electric, and Security State Bank helped sponsor the school lyceum.
Thanks to all the sponsors, speakers and parents who supported this important message
There were 55 kids that attended the fun fair. The booths were great! We will do it again in April 2009.
Cheryl Dupuis spoke about losing her daughter to a drunk driving accident.
Her daughter got in to her boyfriend’s car after he had been drinking and
he ran a stop sign. He walked away, but Danae did not and died in the
hosptial. The presentation was called Denae’s Song. The presentation was
for all 9-12 graders in Emmons County, held in Linton. Sponsors for the
Denae’s Song presentation was: Emmons County Interagency, Bank of Hazelton,
Security State Bank, Strasburg State Bank, Kem, and BNC. There is a
website to check out Denae’s song, it is www.danaessong.homestead.com
A grant through the Prevent Child Abuse of North Dakota. The month of
April was Prevent Child Abuse. We were given money for a speaker, which we
had Connie Sheehan for a section out of the Bright Beginnings: Brain
Development Infant through 5 years (I believe). Most daycare providers
attended this training. One daycare provider from McIntosh County also
attended. Pinwheels were given out to all daycares in Emmons County,
representing a postive effects of preventing child abuse. Our take on the
daycares was the children in daycare are being well taken care of and
daycare providers are mandated reports, so if they suspect child abuse,
they are to report it. We also put pinwheels at the court house, public
health, and Wic. Vehicle magnets were given to law enforcement, social
worker, daycares, and then given out in the bags for the children at the
Kids Fun Fair. The magnets say Prevent Child Abuse. Kindergarten through
second grade was given a pinwheel template with some child abuse facts on
the back to take home and make their own pinwheels. A booth at the Kids
Fun Fair was set up to make the pinwheels and information given to parents
in the bags for the children. There was a bill board along Hwy 83, south
of Linton with the Prevent Child Abuse logo on it.