Drug Prevention Resources, Inc. is working to implement Impact Garland, a drug prevention program that focuses on alcohol in people ages 12-20 and prescription drug abuse in people ages 12-25.
DPRI’s plan for prevention includes the formation of a coalition that will work to reduce youth access to drugs, the implementation of the “Crazy for My Kids” campaign, increased community awareness of the legal and health consequences of substance abuse and access to abuse, addiction and prevention education.
“In addition we would like to mobilize Garland citizens to make institutional and policy changes, work with the local law enforcement and businesses and improve the overall health of the community.” Impact Garland Coalition Coordinator Jana Jansson said.
Ruby Armstrong of the Garland ISD is the coalition chair and Don Hart from the city of Garland’s Health Department will serve as vice chair.
The coalition will work through the LIGHT program in the schools but the effort will not stop with GISD. Jansson said that they intend to reach the whole community.
Another facet of the program, which is already active in Cedar Hill and Waxahachie, is “Crazy for My Kids,” a campaign that urges parents to sign a pledge that no alcohol or other drugs will be available in their homes. When parents make this pledge, their names are added to a directory of safe homes. When their child asks to visit a friend, parents can check the directory to be sure that home is on the safe list.
“Kids now are going into their parents and grandparents medicine cabinets for prescription drugs,” Jansson said. “You have to think about that kind of thing now.”
According to www.crazyformykids.com, alcohol kills six and one-half times more kids than all other drugs combined and youth who use alcohol are seven times more likely to use other drugs. Youth who drink as teens are four times more likely to become alcoholics. This is why providing alcohol to a minor is crime, with penalties of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
The group would also like to start a drug prescription take-back program for unused or expired medicines.
About DPRI: The organization was the first prevention organization to form community substance abuse coalitions in Texas. Community coalitions have been found by state and federal agencies to be the most effective strategy to have the greatest prevention impact on an area. Substance abuse coalitions provide methods for changing attitudes and the environment surrounding substance abuse and mental health.