One Island, One Team, One Dream, To Be Drug Free

One Island, One Team, One Dream, To Be Drug Free Web Page

- MEETINGS -
4 p.m., Second Tuesday of Month
Grand Island High School small cafeteria
1100 Ransom Road.

Thy Will Be Done - One Island, One Team, One Dream, To Be Drug Free
Just imagine, a community transformed by a group of people who are passionate about a cause; a cause to provide its community with an environment free of the dangers of underage drinking and other drug use. I no longer have to imagine because for me and many others, this is becoming a reality.

Almost three years ago, a group was formed as the result of a survey filled out by the parents of high school students. The survey brought to light a problem concerning alcohol and other drug use among the students. “You have your heads buried in the sand”, we were told, and they were right. The problem was more wide spread than we had imagined. The schools responded immediately to address the problem and quickly, many other key people joined in to what is now known as One Island, One Team, One Dream, to be Drug Free. The One Island coalition is made up of the school superintendent, school principals, vice-principals, students, PTA, parents, Town Justice, law enforcement, Town Supervisor, Town Board, clergy, health care providers, counselors, GIFTS (Grand Island Families, Town, and Schools), ECCPASA, Youth Board, and yes there is still room for YOU!

To date we have hosted awareness presentations by Teen Challenge, Theatre For Change and Kids Escaping Drugs, started an anonymous Tip Line, created a video showing students what happens during a drug or alcohol related arrest and booking, and launched Project Sticker Shock, (placing labels on alcoholic beverages warning buyers not to serve alcohol to minors). This coming year we will be working with pharmacies, doctors' offices, nursing homes, and funeral homes to increase awareness and limit the availability of prescription drugs at the source. Through a variety of mediums we will engage students and parents to provide awareness on various issues, and through our ongoing relationship with the Face to Face program we will develop effective programs to help on either side of the problem.

Get YOUR own head out of the sand!

One of the major obstacles in our community is that many of us refuse to believe that any such problem exists in our quaint little community. I can tell you first hand that it does. Don’t make me come over there and prove it to you! Prescription pain medication is of particular concern today, with many young people starting out innocently, thinking that because it is doctor prescribed, it is ok until they find themselves graduating to heroin because the pills no longer have the same effect they did in the beginning. There is great danger in saying “Not my child,” and while there are things you may be doing to minimize the risk, (self-esteem building, healthy activities and open communication), there are still many “good kids” that get caught up in it. It is not my intention to push a panic button or regale you with horror stories, only to ask you to take the issue seriously and, if you feel so led, get involved, even if it’s just to raise awareness a little more.

Keep your eyes open for our new banners around town and check out these links for more information:
www.gigov.com/one/tip-line.pdf
www.gi-cec.com

Respectfully submitted,
Dan Stinson
Chairman – One Island, One Team
Executive Director – Live, Laugh, Love Ministries

One Island, One Team, One Dream, To Be Drug Free Meeting - October 2009
One Island, One Team, One Dream, To Be Drug Free will meet Tuesday, October 13 at 4 p.m. in the Grand Island High School small cafeteria, 1100 Ransom Road.
Scroll up for important information.

If you are a member of this organization, we need your help. GIECOM.Net has partnered with the Connections program to help Grand Island as a community "Get it Together." Please visit our website G-I-Together.ORG and fill out our SURVEY. Every group on Grand Island will have its own FREE web page showing: meeting times and location, contact persons, your Mission Statement and a listing of events. We will also be linking your news events that appear in the local media and on IsledeGrande.Com, Grand Island's E-News Source, to your page, maintaining an archived journal of pictures and news. This is the perfect opportunity for your group to connect with potential new members and the community.