Apr. 15--PLATTSBURGH -- Talk before they drink, says Jessica Mathews.
As project coordinator for the Plattsburgh Campus and Community Partnership, she works with community organizations to help reduce drug use and drinking among young people. She thinks conversation is key.
"Parents need to talk to their kids before they start drinking," Mathews said.
The program just got renewed for its second, five-year cycle, with the City of Plattsburgh its target. The grant totaled $625,000 and came through the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
PARTNERS
"We have 30 different organizations that are part of the partnership, such as law enforcement, schools, media, downtown businesses, the District Attorney's Office, Judge (Penelope) Clute and the mayor," Mathews said.
"We try to eradicate and reduce the use of drugs and alcohol in the community among youth 18 and under."
The Plattsburgh Campus and Community Partnership's mission is to empower the community to make healthy lifestyle choices through collaborative planning.
This is done by fostering respectful, responsible and productive citizens and by preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and related health and behavior problems.
REACHING OUT
The partnership, which has existed for five years, comprises eight subcommittees that include parent/community education, the campus/city coalition, neighborhood association and youth involvement.
"They focus on different ways to bring the community together so drugs don't overtake us," Mathews said.
"One of the main campaigns is start talking before they start drinking, and it includes a town-hall meeting with middle-school parents and youth."
Representatives include parents; youths; businesses; media; area schools; the Clinton County Youth Bureau; law enforcement; religious, civic and fraternal organizations; health-care agencies and groups that deal with substance abuse.
GETTING INVOLVED
Beverly Chisholm, a local parent, brought her girls to the Start Talking Before They Start Drinking forum last year and is herself involved as a parent.
"There was a lot of information, and we got to talk to high-schoolers whose lives are touched by this," Chisholm said.
"It was very informative, and I felt that it gave parents some insight into what's going on with our kids."
Chisholm became involved with the partnership because she wanted her girls to know she cared about them and what happens with them.
"I've always believed that being involved in the school is good for your kids to see, and this just takes it a step further. I actually asked to be on the committee after I went last year."
When it comes to alcohol and drugs, Chisholm said, the more information young people have about the dangers the better.
The program also counts on peer interaction.
"To have the information come from their peers is important to kids," Chisholm said.
MAJORITY DON'T DRINK
Mathews said the Above the Influence group at Plattsburgh High School features peer-to-peer education as a main component.
"Peers can help eradicate misperceptions," Mathews said.
Mathews, who grew up in the North Country and has a degree in elementary education, has been working with the teen population for 10 years.
The partnership also runs marketing campaigns to reduce the perception that using drugs and drinking is the norm. The majority of young people don't do either, she said.
"There are a lot of people doing other things, but on Monday, that is what you hear about.
"You don't need to drink or do drugs to get into the crowd."
E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
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