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Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions Impacting Northern RI Communities



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Three Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions coordinated by the Tri-Town Community Action Agency in the Towns of  Smithfield, North Providence and Johnston have been hard at work over the last year implementing programs to promote the prevention of underage drinking in their communities.
 

Among the activities of the past year are:
 
"The Party's Over" Public Awareness Campaign,  with posters, restaurant tent cards, mailings to homes, and media coverage  designed to raise adult awareness of the laws and consequences of supplying underage youth, with the ultimate goal of cutting off the supply to people under age 21.

Billboard

Billboards in North Providence and Johnston, warning providers "They will be busted" for supplying alcohol to people under age 21.



Insert in local newspapers as a guide for parents on ways to reduce/prevent underage drinking during the summer. (See contact information below to request your copy.)
  1. Underage drinking poster contest for Johnston, Smithfield and North Providence middle and high school students.  Entries will be posted in local grocery stores where the public will vote for the best poster.  The grand prize poster will be adapted as a highway billboard in April during Substance Abuse Prevention Month.
  2. Advertised new "Safety Line" in the Smithfield middle and high School students' 2010 planners and on IID cards, urging youth and residents to report suspicious activity and receive information.
  3. Bus shelter ad targeting Smithfield High School students to promote healthy lifestyles and the local help line.
  4. Increased enforcement activities through grants to police departments. As of December 31, 2009, approximately $25,000 provided to North Providence, $21,000 to Smithfield, and $6,000 to Johnston.
  5. Worked to promote passage of State Legislation to establish a Juvenile Justice Hearing Board in North Providence.
  6. Worked with North Providence and Smithfield town officials on passage of new ordinance for Standardized Fees and Penalties for liquor license holders. In Smithfield, send flyers to all households on the new ordinances and police enforcement commitment.
  7. Purchased ID Scanner for Smithfield to be shared among bars and restaurants to assist in the detection of false identifications.
  8. Purchased Passive Breathalyzer-Alcohol Sniffer for the Smithfield High School to be used at school functions.
  9. Partnered with the North Providence and Smithfield Athletic Departments to educate athletes regarding underage drinking.  Student athletes attended two half-day trainings. Upon completion of the course, they spoke to students on the dangers of alcohol use and abuse.
  10. Based in part on Tri-Town's strong advocacy, the Johnston School Department funded a full time Student Assistant Counselor for its middle and high schools.
  11. Zero Fatalities Program at the ACI attended by Johnston, North Providence and Smithfield High School juniors and seniors where they heard a presentation by young inmates incarcerated due to drinking and driving fatalities.
Party Over Successful Progress:

Comparing local 2006 statistics to 2009, much progress has been made.  Underage drinking has declined:  By the close of FY 2009, almost 23% fewer high school students self-reported having six or more drinks over the past 30 days. There was a 30% decline in heavy alcohol consumption (drinking 20 or more times in the past 30 days).

Attitudes are changing: Only 8% of all high school respondents reported that drinking 1-2 alcoholic drinks nearly every day had no risk involved.  Perceptions of peer approval (of drinking five or more drinks once or twice each weekend) declined by 35.7%.

Tri-Town Community Action Agency is the coordinating agency for the North Providence, Smithfield and Johnston Coalitions and is recognized by the Rhode Island Department MHRH as a Certified Substance Abuse Prevention  Organization. 
 

For further information contact the Coalition Director:

North Providence: Jeanne Vickers ACPS, 401-519-1937, [email protected]

Smithfield:  Leah McPhail CPS, 401-519-1957, [email protected]

Johnston:  Patricia Sweet CPS, 401-519-1903, [email protected]

  
 
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 Thank you.
 
Joseph R. DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer
1126 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, Rhode Island 02919
401-351-2750   Fax 401-351-6611