DRUGS PREVENTION GROUP GEARS UP FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

The BEACON Coalition's next meeting is on Sept. 13, 4:15 p.m. in the
conference room of the Institution for Savings on Prospect Street. Anyone
interested in furthering the group's objectives is invited, including
business leaders, parents and students. For information, contact Donna
Holaday at 978-462-5654 or at d.holaday@comcast.net.

Editor's note: Over the next few weeks the Current will feature various
groups that support our local schools and students.

A task force dedicated to preventing youth substance abuse in Newburyport
will kick off the school year by starting a new program to prevent
high-risk behaviors in middle-schoolers and by administering a survey that
identifies parent perceptions about their children.

The BEACON Coalition's mission is to develop and implement strategies to
reduce underage use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, said the
group's vice chairman, Donna Holaday, a Newburyport resident for more than
20 years and a former member of the City Council.

"Our whole goal is for kids to be a part of a healthy community," Holaday said.

BEACON stands for "Building Education and Community Options in Newburyport."

The group was conceived under former Mayor Mary Anne Clancy in response to
past local tragedies including one student being killed by a drunken
driver, another student committing suicide and a third being sexually
assaulted, Holaday said.

"When things happen in a community, people need places to land and share,"
she said, noting the importance of having plans in place to respond to such
incidents.

The group's members include representatives from city government, law
enforcement, schools, businesses and organizations, as well as youths and
clergy, Holaday said. Anyone interested in furthering the group's
objectives is invited to become involved.

"The coalition is doing what it can to alleviate some of the distresses
that go on with kids," Marshal Thomas Howard said, also noting that the
back-to-school period is often a time when the number of incidents
involving youths increase.

"We're a good partner with them, and likewise," Howard said.

The grassroots effort is now in its second year of a five-year federal
grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant
allows for the organization and support of the group as well as community
training for anti-drug programs.

The group's new resource guide will be distributed locally this month and
will feature information on activities for youths and organizations that
support drug prevention. The guide will also be available on school Web
sites and the city's Web site, www.cityofnewburyport.com.

All Stars

A key component of this year's programming is instituting the "All Stars"
program, designed to delay and prevent high-risk behaviors in children ages
11 to 14, including substance use, violence and premature sexual activity,
by fostering development of positive personal characteristics such as
having future aspirations and strong personal commitments.

The interactive series is planned for Nock Middle School and will involve
13 lessons during its first year and nine booster lessons in its second year.

"We want to introduce initiatives into the community that then become part
of the community," said Andrea Egmont, a member of BEACON's executive
committee and the city's director of youth services.

The BEACON Coalition uses data from surveys given to youth to explore areas
to target. This year, select parents will be surveyed on the behavior of
their children and their children's peers, giving parents a chance to think
through their perceptions about drug use, increase awareness of their
child's behaviors and provide valuable opinions on appropriate drug
prevention programming, Holaday said.

Past community events sponsored by the BEACON Coalition included a "social
host liability" discussion, where parents learned the risks associated with
providing alcohol to minors, as well as a forum to help parents with the
transition from elementary to middle school. A similar forum on the switch
from middle school to high school is being planned for this year.

The group also organized a luncheon for area mental-health professionals
that will be offered this year, and has partnered with Mothers Against
Drunk Driving to distribute stickers to students to increase awareness of
the dangers of underage drinking.