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1998-06-04City of Southlake, Texas MINUTES Drug and Alcohol Awareness Committee Thursday, June 4, 1998 Meeting Minutes Members Present: Jacky Brooks -Lawrence, Vic Awtry, Doug Strickland, Courtney Smiter, Deborah Edmondson, and Roxanne Matela-Berenbeim Members Absent: Erin Anderson, Justin Willingham, Brett Boren, Wayne Moffat, Joe Monfort. Ex-Officio Members Present: Brad Bradley Ex-Officio Members Absent: Nancy Moffat Staff Present: Gary Gregg, Elizabeth Rowland, and Sean Leonard, and Betty Sullivan Guests Present: Manual Trevino, Dawn Stansell, Lanbra Lewellen, Cory Hudson, Erin Clanay, and Pamela Muller Agenda Items Agenda Item No. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Jacky Brooks -Lawrence. Agenda Item No. 2. Roll Call Jacky Brooks -Lawrence called the roll of membership present. Agenda Item No. 4. Approval of Minutes from the May 7, 1998 meeting Doug Strickland made the motion to approve the minutes from the 05/07/98 meeting. Vic Awtry seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 5. Administrative Comments Jacky asked Sean to comment on the Juvenile Focus Group. Sean commented that fourteen students attended the focus group at Carroll High School. He mentioned that only an hour was allocated for this event and that more time was needed. This shortage of time resulted in the event ending before the group was able to reach a consensus on the issues. Sean stated that additional focus groups would be held before a "official" recommendation was made to the committee. Dates of the focus groups have yet to be determined. Drug and Alcohol Awareness Committee Minutes - June 4, 1998 Agenda Item No. 6. Discussion: Sub -Committee A Report Doug Strickland reported that he had met with Deputy Director Gary Greg regarding curfews. He also met with other local municipalities and questioned their representatives about the pros and cons of having a city wide curfew. A brief discussion followed on "how curfews are related to juvenile drug and alcohol use," and it was determined by the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Committee that curfews could be an additional tool for the Public Safety Department. Doug reported that the sub -committee representatives met with local school coaches and other local school district representative to talk about mandatory drug testing. While the U. S. Constitution does not allow mandatory drug testing of all students, it has been upheld that a school district may test students participating in extra curricular activities. Doug mentioned that he has researched the Colleyville-Grapevine I.S.D. proposal and that they are considering random drug testing, one time per year, for all students in extra curricular activities. Doug talked about the student survey that the CISD has been working on. He mentioned that a local newspaper had called and the Carroll School District reported that the student survey results will be released in conjunction with the parent survey results. Overall, the subcommittee meeting was a "good" meeting. Jacky asked if it would be possible to get a copy of the Report By The North Texas Regional Drug Summit: A Consolidation Of Data Gathered At The North Texas Regional Drug Summit, Held On December 2, 1997 (prepared by the Center for Public Service, School of Community Service, University of North Texas) to anyone who wanted it. She stated that it was very clear to her that there is not a "magic bullet" to solving the issue of juvenile drug or alcohol abuse. It will take a community wide effort (including clubs, churches, civic groups, professionals, as well as interested individuals) to make this work. Agenda Item No. 7. Discussion: Sub -Committee B Report Bret was not present to give his report. Jacky asked Debra Edmondson if she would provide a quick synopsis, since she is the only person who was at last month's Sub -Committee B meeting. Debra commented that Brad Bartholomew had met with the Southlake D.A.R.E program and felt it was "adequate." She went on to say that she personally believed it was "essential" that the committee look at this issue in a multi -pronged approach. She emphasized that it will take additional programs besides the mindset of "don't drink and don't drive". In addition to addressing this issue it is important to build a child's self esteem and self image in order to combat the problem of juvenile alcohol and drug usage. There must be a "complete package" approach to this issue. Deborah reported that the committee concurred with Sub -Committee C's focus, that educating parents should be a priority. The committee needed to address the facts that there are a number of parents in the community doing drugs for recreation (beyond alcohol) and that it will "take keeping kids busy from the middle school up in order that our efforts be successful." Page 2 Drug and Alcohol Awareness Committee Minutes - June 4, 1998 She reported that the sub -committee spent a considerate amount of time talking about creating a place for young people to go, such as a recreation center. Elizabeth reported that she has ordered books containing all the research based programs that do work and will have them available as soon as they are received. Agenda Item No. 8. Discussion: Sub -Committee C Report Roxanne reported that Erin Anderson was resigning from Sub -Committee C as a result of her recent graduation and future college plans. It was determined that an immediate focus of sub -committee C would be spent on "getting the word out that the Alcohol and Drug Prevention Committee exists." An equally important focus should be on developing and enhancing a parenting network. This network should include basic parenting skills along with alcohol and drug prevention efforts. She mentioned that the sub- committee would like to find ways to better disseminate information to youth and the general public. This effort could include flyers at school, community newspapers and almost any media venue available. Roxanne went on to say that we can empower parents through this network. She also commented that she does not think that the current scare tactics are working. Not to dismiss the idea, Vic retorted that once a child gets his/her driver's license and a car, the parent network is drastically reduced, therefore making it important to implement a healthy network for older kids, which should parallel the parents network. A brief discussion followed regarding the important of "not re -inventing the wheel". The committee was cautioned not to merely look at Plano or Arlington, for these are not necessarily a perfect reflection of our community. In regards to mandatory drug testing, there were fears that drug testing only those students in extra curricular activities would miss those youth who are truly using. Some were convinced that mandatory drug testing was not the answer. Others felt that programs should be "very aggressive - starting in kindergarten" and "that whatever we do, we continue to send the message that you [youth] are important - we care about you." Agenda Item No. 9. Review Brainstorming List From May 21 Meeting and Discuss Possible Recommendations to the CISD Board an Southlake City Council. This item was tabled until the next business meeting. It was suggested that committee members review the brain storming list as well as the Report By The North Texas Regional Drug Summit and compare the two. It is anticipated that the results from the student and parents surveys will be completed by the July 1, 1998 meeting . It was suggested that comparing the brainstorming list, national study and the survey results would be the most productive way of narrowing the recommendation list down. Committee members where asked to narrow their focus to those recommendations they would like to see forwarded to the School Board and to the City Council. Page 3 Drug and Alcohol Awareness Committee Minutes -June 4, 1998 Agenda Item No. 10.Open Forum. Jacky commented that she would like to see a "more positive approach" to addressing the issue of juvenile alcohol and drug abuse. She clarified this by stating "if there a way we can help kids not want to use." Judge Bradley commented that he had several points he wanted to make. First an internal audit of the City of Keller found that the Keller D.A.R.E. program was ineffective. He recommended that Sub -Committee B speak to the City of Keller to include their perspective their analysis of the programs. Secondly, the Southlake Youth Action Committee had done an extensive research paper, two years ago, on the effectiveness of a curfew. He also mentioned that the North East Tarrant County Leadership was holding a meeting next week on Tuesday, June 9, 1998 @ 7:30A.M. This will be a preliminary meeting with local law enforcement agencies, media personnel, six (6) local independent school district, and other interested parties. He extended an invitation to anyone who would like to attend, as his guest, to please let Sean know by Noon, Monday, June 8, 1998. Agenda Item No. 11. Meeting Adjourned Due to high winds, power outages and torrential rain, the meeting was adjourned early so that people could get home safely. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:50 P.M. Submitted Secretary Approved Jacky Brooks -Lawrence, Chairperson Page 4