April is Underage Drinking Prevention month and Thursday, the DWI Planning Council held their monthly meeting to continue their efforts.
The Los Alamos Planning Council is made up of members who represent a broad spectrum of interests, with two of its citizen board members serving for quite a long time.
“Diane Noveroske has served in various capacities including coordinator and planning council chair since 2005, DWI Coordinator Kirsten Bell said. “Morrie Pongratz has been a citizen board member since 2008. Both Diane and Morrie are dedicated to educating our community on DWI and finding effective treatment and prevention programs to reduce DWI and alcohol and drug related crashes, especially in our teen and young adult population.”
According to Bell, the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS) conducted in 2013 by the New Mexico Department of Health and Public Education Department, showed that with the exception of 2007, there have been higher percentages of Los Alamos High School students reporting they drank and drove, relative to the state percentages. Notably, in 2009, the percentage of Los Alamos high school students reporting they drank and drove was 1.5 times higher than the state percentage.
“Although we are seeing higher rates of drinking and driving among our youth as compared to state percentages, overall youth drinking is on the decline in Los Alamos County,” Bell said.
The DWI Planning Council reviews local and state statistics and partners with local and state organizations to find effective ways to raise DWI and underage drinking awareness among our youth. To promote “Underage Drinking Prevention Month,” the council will present the Power of Parents April 18.
The presentation will be facilitated by one of the DWI Planning Council members 6:30-7 p.m. and again 7-7:30 p.m. at the White Rock Branch Library. The presentation sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers will lead up to a nationwide educational opportunity April 20.
The April 20 presentation offers parents and caregivers the chance to attend the information session on-line. Those interested in online opportunities can visit www.MADD.org to learn more.
The DWI Planning Council works in collaboration with many organizations in the community including:
- Los Alamos Public Schools;
- Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) through prevention and resiliency programs;
- Teen Court through alternative sentencing programs;
- YMCA through the Los Alamos Teen Center;
- Municipal Court through a dedicated probation officer;
- Los Alamos County Community Services Department;
- Los Alamos POlice Department; and
- Various local non-profit agencies such as Los Alamos Family Council and Family Strengths Network.
“The DWI Planning Council makes decisions in how to spend the state DWI grant funds each year,” Bell said. “Many of the organizations listed above receive funding to enable them to continue the great prevention, treatment, and enforcement work they do.”
This summer, the council hopes to distribute a survey for the community to provide feedback on current programs. Those wishing to make suggestions throughout the year or interested in attending a DWI Planning Council meeting held on the second Thursday of each month, can contact Bell at 505.662.8241.
