Almost 80 percent of young people do not drink alcohol, at least not on a regular basis. That information from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is just one of many facts which will be shared at an Alcohol Awareness Town Hall.
Funded by a stipend from 2019 Communities Talk: Town Hall Meetings to Prevent Underage Drinking initiative and sponsored by SAMHSA, the local town hall promoting alcohol awareness will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 in the auditorium of Hayesville schools.
Organized by People of Clay Coalition Allies for Recovery and Education, information given will encourage responsible choices about alcohol or any substance, as well as remind everyone about underage drinking. It is illegal in every state for people under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, but there are also health reasons for them not to drink.
Along with alcohol facts, results of the Pride surveys given in May 2019 will be shared with attendees. Pride surveys are scientifically based anonymous school culture surveys used to obtain data about student use and perception of substance use, along with how they feel their parents perceive use and more.
Presenters at the event will include North Carolina National Guardsman Sergeant Joshua Orihood of the N.C. Counterdrug Task Force in Raleigh, acting Clay County School Superintendent Scotty Penland and representation from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Patti Tiberi, a prevention specialist from Mountain Strong will bring information about the Talk it Out campaign for young people and adults who will be able to sign pledge cards, if they choose. Tiberi has many years of experience working with prevention education.
Also on the panel, Kelly Teague, who is regional coordinator of 50 North Carolina counties for Community Impact N.C. under the Division of Coalition Support. She has received SAMHSA training in adolescent mental health from SAMHSA and received the National Coalition Academy training through Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. Teague started a nonprofit in 1996 to address family wellness in her home county of Haywood and her work as a grant writer has allowed her to assist many other nonprofits.
In addition, other literature will be distributed for anyone who wants to read more on their own. Several door prizes have been donated and will be distributed at the end of the meeting. The event, all literature and the prizes are free.
People of Clay CARE is a group of concerned citizens representing many walks of life. It began when a task force of Hinton Center’s Quality of Life Study merged with a small group started by the former director and assistant director of the Clay County Health Department, Janice Patterson and Tanya Long.
People of Clay CARE mission statement is: To advocate for a healthier, safer community and reduce substance use disorder by offering education to the schools and all citizens about prevention, resilience and responsible choices related to alcohol, tobacco, vaping, prescription drugs and other substances; and to be an ally for those in recovery, as well as those seeking recovery.
The newly formed group does not have a web site or email. For details, leave a message at 389-8455 or call Ricky Hill at Hinton Center 389-8336.
Clay County schools auditorium is adjacent to the rock gym of Hayesville Middle School. HMS is located at 135 School Drive.