vernonia prevention coalition
january25
2011
11
Be a Piece of the Puzzle: Prevention is About Saying YES
In 1982, Nancy
Reagan announced
a new drug preven-
tion program, “Just
Say NO.” Since
then,
prevention
folk have found that
effective and environment-changing pre-
vention work is about shouting, “YES!”
It is about making informed decisions
based on up-to-date information that has
a positive impact on your future. The
vast majority of us want what is best for
our community. In that, citizens have
charged various governing bodies to cre-
ate and approve ordinances, policies and
procedures to help protect the majority.
At various times, rules are writ-
ten, published and distributed with due
diligence. Unfortunately, much like the
children’s game, Telephone, over time
the interpretation is blurred; the applica-
tion is sketchy and finally deemed not
important. The party of accountability,
to knowing the rules, is each and ev-
ery one of us. On the bright side, these
rules can be challenged and changed if
deemed outdated or not comprehensive
enough. This can be done by anyone at
any time in due process.
Fortunately, some rules are al-
ways in the fore front of our minds.
Background checks for volunteers and
staff are one of those. The VSD 47J is
an awesome example of that proactive
practice. According to volunteer policy,
[VSD 47J GCDA/GDDA], it requires
back ground screening for volunteers
before, during and after school. This
should also include programs that are
under the school programming umbrella.
This policy and practice is one way to
help ensure the prevention of abuse of
our children. While this is a widely ac-
ceptable practice in the education world,
it is often overlooked in the private sec-
tors that provide community program-
ming.
There are many City of Verno-
nia (COV) Ordinances that impact pre-
vention of injury, limit liability and help
ensure safe space for community gather-
ing. They also have a great impact on
community program planning. For ex-
ample, planning a large event that gath-
ers more than 100 people? Refer to COV
Ord. 767 on crowd control measures and
additional sanitary facilities. How about
evening programs? Refer to COV 313
for curfews and COV Ord. 761 outlining
COV park rules and use of the parks for
public events. All these ordinances can
have impact on the sustainability of pro-
grams and events.
Oregon Administrative Rules,
(OAR) are realized by the citizens of Or-
egon to be important to the health and
welfare of us all. OAR 581-021-0110,
Tobacco Free Schools, was established
in 2004 to not allow the use of tobacco
in any form at anytime on school proper-
ty. Public Law 107-110, Safe and Drug
Free School Act, is to support schools
and communities to create safe, disci-
plined, and drug-free environments that
support student academic achievement.
This federal law speaks to not allow-
ing ATOD [Alcohol, Tobacco and other
Drug] on school campuses at anytime
regardless of school hours, day or ses-
sions.
Whether you agree or not, poli-
cies, OAR’s and ordinances are ways for
governing bodies to show their due dili-
gence for the greater good. These help
ensure school, community partners and
resources to foster a safe and drug-free
learning and living environment. Men-
tors who are deemed safe by a back-
ground check can help build confidence
in our children. City streets that are safe
for our children to walk on help connect
them to their community. Parks that are
clean and safe allow our children to par-
take in positive physical activity without
the threat of harm. ATOD Free events al-
low families to gather together and bond
with a shared experience. All these ordi-
nances, policies and administrative laws
have one thing in common-- to protect
the most vulnerable citizens of our com-
munity-- our children-- and our future.
So, prevention IS about saying
YES. Yes, our streets are safe. Yes, our
schools are safe. Yes, you can volun-
teer in a drug-free workplace. Yes, our
children have lots of opportunities to
National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Are you feeling desperate, alone or
hopeless? Call the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline a free, 24-hour
hotline available to anyone in suicidal
crisis or emotional distress. Your call
will be routed to the nearest crisis
center to you.
Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press 1
connect with valuable experiences both
in and out of school. Why is this im-
portant? When a child lives in an envi-
ronment that affords him or her oppor-
tunities to positively engage, they will
more likely be productive citizens of
society. Yes, Prevention is about saying
YES.
The Vernonia Prevention Coali-
tion is about saying YES, too. Yes, you
can be a member. Yes, we will support
you in your efforts to make a difference.
Yes, we want public input. In that effort
to further ask for input, the VPC will
have public meetings on 5 th Tuesdays
of the year. Look on this page for this
year’s schedule. For further questions
or comments, contact DeAnna Pearl @
(503) 369-7370 or DeAnna@vernonia-
or.gov.
5th Tuesday Community
Coalition Meeting
at the VCLC 6:30-8:00 PM
March 29th
May 31st
August 30th
November 29th
For more information contact:
DeAnna Pearl, VPC Director
503-369-7370
DeAnna@vernonia-or.gov
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