Committee promotes drug-free activities

The second of three meetings of the Nevada R-5 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Advisory Council was held at the Nevada High School library Wednesday evening.

The group has been active in the R-5 schools for many years and in the past has sponsored a junior/senior and coaches versus alumni basketball games but this year decided to focus on supplying more information and resources to those attending a family fun night, which is still in the planning stages at this time

"We're doing it this way this year in lieu of the junior/senior game. We're trying it this year to see if it's more productive for what we are doing here. Rather than just worry about making money with a fund-raiser its important that we generate some awareness," said Ranea Schulze, coordinator of the drug free program.

Schulze led the group in the discussions of upcoming events including the drug-free family fun night scheduled for Friday, March 19. School board member Jan Benbrook, R-5 Superintendent Ted Davis, Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman, Acting Nevada Police Chief Gary Herstein as well as school resource officers Pat McCarty and Dan Miller, attended as well as approximately 20 parents and teachers, many of whom participated by making suggestions and voicing opinions.

Discussion centered on how to get parents to attend the event since much of the information was of use to them. It was the consensus of the group that one of the most difficult problems to overcome in planning such an event is parental apathy -- without parental involvement children are at higher risk of inappropriate behavior. To increase parental participation, one suggestion offered was to give coupons to students whose parents attended. Elementary students could use the coupons to be excused from one assignment and high school students could use it to skip one hour in the morning or one hour in the afternoon.

"I want this night to be fun, and I want parents to know they can go out with their kids and have fun," Shulze said.

Final plans are not yet in place, and no decision was made whether to have a meal available or just snacks, but the tentative schedule calls for a speaker from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. followed by three breakout sessions of 20 minutes each. A 30-minute variety show would cap the evening at 8:30.

Many of the concerns participants brought up are of concern to the community at large including methamphetamine use and manufacture in the area, stores selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors, along with drinking and driving by minors as well as adults.

The group expressed appreciation to the Missouri Highway Patrol for the work to curb underage drinking, especially for the sting operation that tested 15 stores that sold alcohol and found six that failed the test when a clerk sold alcohol to a minor who was working with law enforcement officers to conduct the operation. A suggestion was made to send thank-you cards to businesses that passed the test and did not sell alcohol to the undercover minor. Attendees felt that some action needed to be taken to remind stores that they are the first line of defense against underage people obtaining alcohol.

Schulze reminded the group of the crime tips number, 448-CRYM (2796), is available, noting that all tips are investigated.

"This is a resource that anyone can access and remain anonymous. We need to make sure everyone is aware of the number and put in on any posters or ads we put out."

A follow-up meeting is planned for Feb. 5 for team leaders and club sponsors to finalize details.