Fall Meeting Notes 2009

Stephanie Willis, CHCCS, spoke about the results of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The results were gathered using a different platform or on-line version, therefore, an exact comparison with the old results would be invalid. However, because of "Social Norming" efforts most teens are "NOT doing it". She was glad to see the "Talk it up, Lock it up" campaign getting underway and more attention. The YRBS and CHHS local survey results show that most kids are getting their alcohol and drugs from within their own homes. The "Talk it up, Lock it up" program asks parents to take active measures to deny access to alcohol and drugs. "Positive Behavior Support" gets the message out that kids are not using as part of Social Norming. Also mentioned was how helpful forums like the 5th Annual PTSA Parent Forum: Should We Drink With Our Kids?. Stephanie Willis then introduced Stephanie Mozokewen(sp?) who spoke about the prevention programs in both the High School and the Middle Schools, Susbstance Abuse Prevention and usage perceptions. The Safe-Homes network will be adding the Middle Schools in order to get more Parents to make "The Pledge". CHPD, local business and organizations teamed up to keep drugs and alcohol locked up. They collected 36lbs of pills and 40lbs of liquid. Also, "Operation: Medicine Cabinet". The CADFT hopes Parents will work with Lowe's, or other home improvement centers, to find more creative ways to secure drugs and alcohol in their homes. Questions were fielded about how to better advertise or market the "Talk it up, Lock it up". Also, using Sentury Safe was suggested.

Chapel Hill Police Lt. Pat Burns reported that the Alcohol Response Team now has 26 trained officers. The response team consists of officers from both Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police Departments who are specially trained. They patrolled all of the UNC football games to enforce the Open Container Law. Meetings were held in Aug and Oct with all local departments, including Campus police, to review compliance's and monitoring (e.g. keg control, issuing violations and recurring situations). Another officer training is expected in Jan. He spoke about the ALERT Team and their success. THERE IS AN ANONYMOUS TIPLINE for citizens who want to express their concerns and/or report situations.

The Carpe Diem Group from UNC was represented by Dean Blackburn, Assistant Dean of Students, Community Relations. He talked about the surveys for incoming students and the wrong perception of UNC being a party school. He explained that there is an increase in the alcohol use in Chapel Hill, however, it seems to follow a trend that fluctuates every 4 to 5 years. He discussed some of the results as to: Where do the students think the alcohol is? Sororities and Fraternities. Where do they get alcohol? Off-campus locations. Read more on the Alchohol education classes here. Dean thanked the officers and other resources for their involvement.
Eric Smith from Campus Health Services talked about the success of the Alcohol Education and Assessment Sessions.
Jenny Levering, Assistant Dean of Students, Fraternity & Sorority Life spoke about the students giving positive feedback on the Environmental Management Approach, Guiding Principles / Philosophy and Long Term Goals and Objectives of the Counseling and Wellness Services. More information on alcohol is located on Student Legal Services website.

At this juncture, Dale brought up the ad in the Daily Tar Heel about a Beer Pong Fund Raiser for Higher Education. This was deemed a faux pas, and was indeed in need of a Call to Action. Please advocate for no fund raising in bars by writing to Legislators or the Chancellor at UNC.

Judy Dingfelder from the Orange County ABC Board, spoke about there being less funds for Education and Training. Groups in need
will need to come forward to ask for Grants. The ABC Board is involved in Training ALE, detecting False I.D.'s using scanners and has a Zero Tolerance policy for sales to minors. She also noted that privatization would cause a loss of controls as well as losing the opportunity to educate our law enforcement personnel.

Jason Jacobs from Youth Villages spoke about how they are working with families with Multistemic Therapy, increased parent supervision and Behavioral Issues. He reported high success rates.

Michael Eisen, NC Dept of MHDDSAS, covered the statewide issues. He mentioned the effectivness of the environmental management strategies. He stated that the ABC would need support in retaining the ABC stores and that privatization would be a great loss of control. He talked about Verla Insco being the primary sponsor for H1579 to Increase Alcohol Taxes and DRH80378 and how these bills need our support. He feels that a Multi-tiered approach is the best way to make a difference.

Thomas McQuiston was the spokesperson for the Parents Helping Parents. He spoke about the passing of his son in Oct of 2008, a memorial fund and a scholarship that may come from it. Contributions can be made by a check payable to the Matthew McQuiston Memorial Fund and sent to 117 Balsam Court, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

Steve Cory announced that an Alateen meeting was forming at 8:00pm on Monday evenings in Durham at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church. The list of meetings is on-line at www.alanonalateen6nc.org/meeting-schedule/meeting-sch.htm

T-Shirts were made available from the North Carolina Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative (NC-PUD).