The Pine River-Backus Working Together Group hosts a family support group at the PR-B Family Center every week. The format provides an opportunity to talk to people who know what other families dealing with substance abuse are going through. Parents discuss a variety of substance abuse issues - from how to recognize signs of possible abuse to what works and what doesn't work when dealing with a loved one with a serious addiction. Parents of all experiences are invited - from those just delving into the problem of substance abuse to those who have been living for years with an addicted family member.

Jerry and Cathy Osterloh, who recently lost their son to substance abuse, facilitate the group. The group's first meeting was held Monday, March 5. The group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every Monday. For more information, contact Jerry Osterloh at 258-7351.

See It, Say It

PR-B fifth and sixth grade crossing guards recently learned how to talk to someone about difficult issues. ATOD Coordinator Collin Frazier provided the Minnesota Institute of Public Health's See It, Say It training to approximately 13 of the 17 active crossing guards, Tuesday, March 13.

See It, Say It uses a six communication points that can be used with kids or adults and in any situation. In addition to learning how to determine what to say, students learn when the best time is to talk someone they are concerned about.

The program features videos presenting realistic situations where kids communicate with others about tough issues like bullying, chewing tobacco and marijuana use.

See It, Say It training will be offered to adults through PR-B Community Education from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24.

Community Readiness Survey

Results of the Community Readiness Survey conducted by the Institute of Public Health are in and tabulated. More than 200 responses were received for a response rate of 40 percent.

All area residents are invited to to hear the results of the survey. Based on the results, participants may also choose a couple of issues to tackle. That meeting has been set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 3, in the PR-B Commons.

Meth Coalition

Cass County Meth Coalition task forces are winding down as funding for the group's coordinators is exhausted. Currently the group is finishing up a resource directory for county residents. Work is also under way to develop a highway billboard. Many of the ideas for this project came from Cass County high school students at a recent meeting. For more information on these projects or the coalition, contact Merilee Payne at 547-1340, extension 213.

Anti-Drug conference

Frazier and Family Center Director Leslie Bouchonville recently attended a conference that was sponsored by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). CADCA was officially launched in 1992. According to CADCA, the PresidentÕs Drug Advisory Council encouraged formation of the organization to respond to the dramatic growth in the number of substance abuse coalitions and their need to share ideas, problems and solutions. The four-day conference, CADCA's National Leadership Forum, was held in Washington, D.C., and included more than 100 workshops, information sessions and special events. Drug prevention and treatment leaders from around the country attended.

"The conference was awesome," reported Bouchonville. "There were more than 3,000 people there from all kinds of organizations that work in prevention. There was one session on communities and how they are tackling issues of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs."

Participants learned about the latest research and practices in the substance abuse field and took part in a rally on the streets of Capitol Hill to demand greater funding for drug prevention.

Forum attendees also previewed an HBO documentary series titled "Addiction." The program premiered Thursday, March 15. According to Arthur T. Dean, CADCA chairman and chief executive officer, it is part of a multi-platform campaign that HBO and its partners, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, have planned to educate America about addiction. For additional information on the program, visit the Web site at www.hbo.com/addiction.

For additional information on any of these topics, contact the PR-B Family Center at (218) 587-4292.