Project Right Choice looks to branch out
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Project Right Choice members hope to form an expanded coalition by establishing subchapters in Washington and Madison counties.
"We'd like to set up several committees to work in several different ways so we don't burden the core of the coalition," organization Chairman Jess Smith said. "We'd like to set up a chapter in western Washington County and in Madison County, but before we do anything, we need to find individuals who are passionate to lead up these committees."
Establishing subchapters would enable the coalition to better accomplish its overall mission of reducing and preventing the use of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs, Smith said. At the group's meeting Tuesday, committee members opted to table the discussion for its June meeting.
In other business, Judy Cohea, fiscal officer for the Fayetteville Police Department, provided positive feedback from the town hall meeting last week in Lincoln. The meeting drew about 400 children and adults.
"I got several comments from community members saying how appreciative they were," she said. "It was very successful."
Washington County Circuit Court Judge Mary Ann Gunn, who served as keynote speaker during the event, outlined the effects of methamphetamine abuse and told parents and children how to address the issue. She urged community members to raise awareness by educating themselves and others about the problems associated with illegal drug use and abuse.
"From that meeting we got a request to do another meeting in Huntsville and one at a church," Cohea said. "We were also asked to attend the Prairie Grove Community and School Health Fair last weekend, which we did. Education is key, and it's not a one-time thing. It's something you have to keep doing over and over again."
In addition to Lincoln, Project Right Choice members have made meth awareness presentations in Fayetteville, Springdale and Huntsville.
Laurie Reh, Prevention Resource Center coordinator, offered to assist the coalition in forming a planning strategy.
"We've been through a lot of training for coalition work," she said. "One of the things we focus on is strategic planning framework in terms of a coalition defining its overall framework to address the needs of the community to reduce overall drug use."
The Region 1 Prevention Resource Center headquarters is in Springdale. It serves Benton, Carroll, Washington and Madison counties. The facility is one of 13 prevention centers across Arkansas and is funded by a substance abuse block grant from the federal government. The statewide system focuses on capacity development of communities to address prevention.
"It's hard to reach out for membership if you don't know what kind of members you want," Reh said. "That's why we'd like to involve the (Project Right Choice ) coalition in some of our activities."
Reh said she plans to provide additional information during the group's next meeting.
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