Gulf County Prevention Coalition secures grant funding

Though less visible than in the past, the Gulf County Prevention Coalition is very much alive and working to combat teen alcohol and drug abuse.

Funded by a Substance Abuse Response Guide (SARG) grant administered by the Gulf County School system, the coalition formed two years ago to address some alarming statistics.

The 2008 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS), administered to all county middle and high school students, revealed past 30-day alcohol consumption, drinking and marijuana use above state averages.

Gulf County teens ranked second highest in the state in underage binge drinking.

 The coalition has spent the past two years collecting additional data to support the FYSAS' findings.

A core group of dedicated volunteers administered surveys and conducted town hall meetings and focus groups.

Armed with multiple assessments detailing teenage attitudes and behavior, the coalition recently began applying for grants aimed at addressing specific needs.

"We've worked for two years to get all the data to get to this point. We are identifying ways in which to help children succeed," said coalition director and SARG coordinator Carly Pickels.

The 2008 FYSAS found that a majority of teenagers felt local law enforcement was not doing enough to combat underage drinking and alcohol abuse.

To reverse this perception, the coalition secured a $1,700 grant from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to purchase four portable, highly sensitive breathalyzer units for the Gulf County Sheriff's Office.

Pickels said the breathalyzer units will allow law enforcement officers to better patrol football games and other community events.

"It'll be a way to keep everyone at these events safe," said Pickels. "Our main goal is to help our kids make the right decisions."

A second $2,000 DCF grant will support the Gulf County Explorer/Venture Crew program.

The program encourages positive interaction among kids, law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS workers, through ride-alongs and other mentoring activities.

"It gives the kids a lot of options for their future," said Pickels, noting that kids may be inspired to follow in their mentors' footsteps.

The coalition will begin seeking additional funding to assist groups that share its goals.

"(The grant dollars) are not just for our coalition but for every group that would benefit from it," noted Pickels.
"That's what we're here for, to share information to make our kids succeed."

Pickels is particularly pleased to help the sheriff's office, given its recent budget cuts.

Sheriff Joe Nugent and deputy Larry Dickey, who co-chairs the coalition, have been among the group's greatest supporters.

Pickels has several projects in the works to educate community members about the dangers of alcohol consumption.

Slated for an April launch, the "Be the Wall" campaign will target parents and adults ages 21 and older.

The 2008 FYSAS revealed that the teenagers acquire drugs and alcohol from parents and friends over 21, frequently sneaking it from household cabinets.

The "Be the Wall" campaign asks parents to sign pledges saying they wall serve as a barrier between kids and unhealthy choices.

"Kids' brains are still developing when up to age 21 or 22. They're going to make mistakes; they're going to cut corners," noted Pickels.

"It's up to the parents to be that wall – to be consistent, be concise, be the wall."

The coalition will also continue a successful vendor retail training program sponsored by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.

The trainings educate business owners, servers and suppliers on alcohol and tobacco laws and provide advice for handling situations such as fake IDs.

The coalition hosted two well-attended trainings last summer and will continue the trainings on a quarterly basis.

The 2010 FYSAS will be administered to Gulf County middle and high school students after Spring Break.

Pickels said she hopes the survey will reveal improvements in underage alcohol consumption and reflect a more positive relationship between law enforcement officers and teens.

"It gives us a real finger on the pulse of what kids are thinking and their perceptions," Pickels said of the survey.

"We're encouraging the kids to really be honest."

For more information on the coalition or to volunteer, contact Carly Pickels at 850-227-4913 or email carly.pickels@mchsi.com.