Katahdin coalition to tackle substance abuse

MILLINOCKET – A local coalition is using a federal grant to develop a strategic plan for involving the Katahdin region communities in substance abuse prevention.

The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America chose the Katahdin Area Partnership in January as one of 30 emerging coalitions in the country to receive a Greenhouse Project Grant, worth roughly $110,000 in training and technical support. KAP is one of the Healthy Maine Partnerships funded through the state’s share of tobacco settlement funds.

Earlier this year, KAP sent a five-member group to workshops in Miami and Seattle to learn about Communities That Care, the community-based program focused on the prevention of problem adolescent behaviors including substance abuse.

On Tuesday, KAP brought together various elected officials, clergy, school employees and Millinocket Regional Hospital to form the coalition that will help implement the program. The coalition will meet at least monthly with the hope of creating a community strategy by February.

With guidance on the Communities That Care program from instructor David Shavel, coalition members Tuesday discussed risk factors related to the community, family, school and peer groups that often lead to substance abuse.

Parental attitudes can perpetuate problem behaviors, according to the Rev. Mark Pilletere of the East Millinocket Congregational Church. Parents often establish rules they don’t follow, Pilletere said, referring to the no-smoking signs outside area high schools which are often ignored when a parent wants to smoke just outside gymnasium doors during a basketball game.

“Our youth are seeing that if it’s OK for Mom and Dad … it’s OK for me,” Pilletere said.

The lack of awareness by some teachers about substance abuse also can feed the problem, according to Dr. David Nelson of Millinocket Regional Hospital.

“Elementary school teachers aren’t necessarily aware that it’s becoming a problem at a younger age,” Nelson said.

The group agreed that retirees, parents, recreation departments and teachers need to play a strong role in planning.

Sue Buzzell, a guidance counselor at Stearns High School, said a number of youths are involved in the coalition, but weren’t able to take the day off from school. Her hope is that the coalition will generate healthful alternatives to substance use.

“This really has to come from the kids,” Buzzell said. “If [adults] design this, it might not be anything they’re interested in.”