Volunteer group seeks to curtail drug and alcohol abuse by county teens

One in four of the sophomores in Dubois County drink alcohol on a monthly basis.

It is easier for youth to get marijuana than alcohol.

Both are staggering thoughts that are of concern to community members and parents. In response, a new group has been formed in Dubois County to address local issues of alcohol and drug use among youth.

The Dubois County Coalition for Adolescent Resilience and Empowerment Strategies, or CARES, has will hold four town hall-style meetings or community conversations in April. The meetings will be held in each of the four school districts in Dubois County.

The first CARES public meeting will be Monday April 4, 2016 in the Dubois Middle School.

The four community conversations will focus on how alcohol and drug use, specifically marijuana, are impacting our youth, families and Dubois County as a whole.

Discussions will cover what the Indiana Youth survey says about local youth substance use. In addition, materials will be available to prepare parents, grandparents and friends to talk to their youth.

The community meetings are an opportunity to learn more about alcohol and drug use among youth, how to talk to youth about issues with use, and ways you can help the coalition achieve its mission to empower youth to be alcohol and drug-free.

Each community conversation event is open to the public and free of charge at each location. The conversations will begin at 7 p.m. Parents, grandparents, community members and those who work with youth are encouraged to attend. You are invited to join one or all of the meetings.

• Monday, April 4 at the Dubois Middle School multipurpose room
• Wednesday, April 13 at the Jasper Middle School
• Monday, April 18 at the Southridge Middle School Auditorium
• Wednesday April 27 at the Tri-County YMCA in Ferdinand

Meetings will feature discussions from CARES committee members, school officials, law enforcement members and other concerned community leaders. Input from the public is essential to the success of each meeting.

Over 70 different community leaders who represent 13 different sectors are engaged in Dubois County CARES. Each member also serves on one or more active subcommittees: Finance, Customer, Community Outreach, Data Analysis and Evaluation, Governance and Policy, and Capacity Building. Join in the conversation to learn more about ways you can help CARES in its mission and more importantly support a sustainable alcohol and drug-free culture for Dubois County youth.

Join in the conversation to learn more about ways you can help CARES in its mission and more importantly support a sustainable alcohol and drug-free culture for Dubois County youth.