Swanton Area Community Coalition

On April 3, 2008, the Swanton Area Community Coalition held a Townhall at Swanton High School to discuss substance abuse in our community. Jack Claypoole from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy was on hand to address the audience about the nationwide fight against substance abuse and what we in Swanton can do to further protect our community.

Parents who attended were able to ask questions throughout the night, below are a few of the questions that we did not have time to answer.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to email them to Heather Wegener, Executive Director of the Swanton Area Community Coalition at heather@swantoncoalition.org

Click the image to see a larger version.

Questions & Answers:

How do you get more parents/people involved?

Every parent in Swanton should sign up to be a "Parent on Board." This not only shows support for SACC, but also shows your neighbors, children and the rest of the community that you are committed to the safety and well-being of our youth. The "Parent on Board" sticker tells other parents that they can trust YOU, and know that you value the same things they do.

How you get local law enforcement to be more diligent about parties that cater to underage drinkers?

The best steps that we as a community can take to reduce the abuse of alcohol and other drugs is first, to hold eachother accountable for ensuring the safety of the youth in Swanton. While it may be easy to point figers at the police and say that it's their problem, we must also recognize that there was a breakdown in our community that led to the party occuring in the first place. If our neighbors know that we will not tolelrate underage drinking in our home or our neighborhood, that will go a long way towards creating a safer and healthier community.

Where are [the rest of] the parents?

It's not uncommon to hear parents within our community say "we don't have a problem." Worse yet, parents say that it would be hypocritical for them to discipline their kids for abusing the same drugs or alcohol that they used when they were young. These attitudes need to be changed. The right choice isn't always the easiest choice, and the easy choice isn't always right.

To those of you who were in attendance, do your part and share what you learned from the Town Hall meeting with your friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Where [are] our school board members?

Again, I do not want to make assumptions as to where they were during out Town Hall meeting. Our school board has pledged their support of our efforts, and are willing to work with us to ensure that our community is safer. It is also important to recognize that this is a community issue, not a school issue. It is our responsibility as parents to take care of our own kids.

What items are kids using that we, as parents, should look out for? (What are items that might be laying around, visual observations or behavior changes that parents should be on the look out for)

The results from the 2008 Lucas County Youth Survey are going to be released in June 2008. Please check back then for the latest trends and statistics from our community.

What are the choice drugs of today?

Alcohol is, and unfortunately always will be the number one "drug of choice" amongst youth in our community. We are also seeing a growing trend in abuse of prescription drugs. Alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs are the three drugs that we tend to focus our efforts on in this area, because those are traditionally the "most popular." Check back soon for the latest other drug trends from the 2008 Lucas County Youth Survey.



home about us board & committee members history of SACC meetings programs Parent On Board Parent's Who Host Start Talking Before They Start Drinking Peer Mediation Intervention & Referral Underage Drinking Tip Line activities Red Ribbon Week Town Hall Meetings Alternative Youth Activities S.M.A.R.T. Prom Global Youth Service Day Ohio Parent's Week Untitled Item leadership Youth Board calendar contact


		On April 3, 2008, the Swanton Area Community Coalition held a Townhall at Swanton High School to discuss substance abuse in our community. Jack Claypoole from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy was on hand to address the audience about the nationwide fight against substance abuse and what we in Swanton can do to further protect our community. Parents who attended were able to ask questions throughout the night, below are a few of the questions that we did not have time to answer. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to email them to Heather Wegener, Executive Director of the Swanton Area Community Coalition at heather@swantoncoalition.org
			Click the image to see a larger version.














	Questions & Answers:

		How do you get more parents/people involved?
		Every parent in Swanton should sign up to be a "Parent on Board." This not only shows support for SACC, but also shows your neighbors, children and the rest of the community that you are committed to the safety and well-being of our youth. The "Parent on Board" sticker tells other parents that they can trust YOU, and know that you value the same things they do.

		How you get local law enforcement to be more diligent about parties that cater to underage drinkers?

		The best steps that we as a community can take to reduce the abuse of alcohol and other drugs is first, to hold eachother accountable for ensuring the safety of the youth in Swanton. While it may be easy to point figers at the police and say that it's their problem, we must also recognize that there was a breakdown in our community that led to the party occuring in the first place. If our neighbors know that we will not tolelrate underage drinking in our home or our neighborhood, that will go a long way towards creating a safer and healthier community.

		Where are [the rest of] the parents?
		It's not uncommon to hear parents within our community say "we don't have a problem." Worse yet, parents say that it would be hypocritical for them to discipline their kids for abusing the same drugs or alcohol that they used when they were young. These attitudes need to be changed. The right choice isn't always the easiest choice, and the easy choice isn't always right. To those of you who were in attendance, do your part and share what you learned from the Town Hall meeting with your friends, neighbors and co-workers.

		Where [are] our school board members?
		Again, I do not want to make assumptions as to where they were during out Town Hall meeting. Our school board has pledged their support of our efforts, and are willing to work with us to ensure that our community is safer. It is also important to recognize that this is a community issue, not a school issue. It is our responsibility as parents to take care of our own kids.

		What items are kids using that we, as parents, should look out for? (What are items that might be laying around, visual observations or behavior changes that parents should be on the look out for)
		The results from the 2008 Lucas County Youth Survey are going to be released in June 2008. Please check back then for the latest trends and statistics from our community.

		What are the choice drugs of today?
		Alcohol is, and unfortunately always will be the number one "drug of choice" amongst youth in our community. We are also seeing a growing trend in abuse of prescription drugs. Alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs are the three drugs that we tend to focus our efforts on in this area, because those are traditionally the "most popular." Check back soon for the latest other drug trends from the 2008 Lucas County Youth Survey.



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