Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND – The Washakie Prevention Coalition held a lunch meeting on Thursday, to discuss a new grant to combat substance abuse, and look at ways to combine forces and grant opportunities to offer area at-risk youth pathways to healthy choices.
The coalition, a group of business, health, educational and legal professionals, meet regularly to discuss community solutions to the growing substance abuse problems with youth and young adults, and seek solutions. The group was formed earlier this year.
At Thursday’s meeting, representatives from the Youth Alternatives office, Sarah Garcia and Sheri Gunderson, explained the advantages of a major community grant recently received by the county.
The county was one of three state recipients of a national Drug–Free Communities Support Program grant, awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The $125,000 grant will support the efforts of the Washakie Prevention Coalition in preventing and reducing youth substance use in Washakie County. The county will also be able to apply for continuation funding over the next four years, for a total award amount of $625,000 over five years.
As explained by Gunderson, the grant will be used to train personnel and youth leaders, create programs for the local schools, and increase substance abuse awareness within the community.
Lila Jolley, prevention coordinator for the county, reported on her office’s efforts to expand suicide prevention awareness and education in the local school system.
Both Jolley and Gunderson stressed getting more students involved in the process of educating others on the programs.
“Having youth involved as leaders really increases our chance of success,” said Gunderson.
It was noted that Cloud Peak Counseling in Worland will be offering a six-hour, per-week, youth substance abuse program for youth who have been referred and meet assessment requirements for the program.
Randall Homan of Chopper Crossfit related how his gym offers a program for students of all levels to focus their energy on fitness rather than outside distractions and peer pressure, over a summer course called Black Shirts. The program culminated with the students reaching their goals to receive a coveted shirt. Homan also noted that he has a zero tolerance for substance use or trouble with authorities for his students.
While discussing the program, other members added that such a program would be beneficial if vouchers could be made available, so that at-risk youth could have an alternative that focused on a healthy lifestyle.
“If there was the ability for the coalition [member groups] to work with our various grants, they really could complement each other for some of these programs,” noted Bob Vines, Witness and Victims coordinator with the Washakie County Attorney’s Office.