The "Most of Us" billboards south of Pine River are visual examples of the local effort to encourage a safe and healthy community free of substance abuse.
Pine River-Backus' Working Together: A Coalition for Safe and Healthy Communities - focuses on addressing issues related to underage use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Coalition members include area citizens, local agency representatives, parents and community groups.
"I am particularly proud of the way this group has worked together over the years, at times changing the direction, but always searching for ways to promote healthy community," according Pastor Mark Erickson, coalition member.
Erickson and other community members have been involved in the coalition since its inception a decade ago. While the group's makeup and focus may have changed over time, the goal of creating a healthy community has stayed the same.
Leslie Bouchonville, director of the Pine River-Backus Family Center and a coalition member, said that she's proud of the coalition's evolution over the years.
She's seen tremendous growth in the coalition during the last year including increasing the coalition's involvement in the community and vice versa, she said.
Coalition members recently reviewed the annual report and celebrated coalition accomplishments in 2009.
Kelly Felton is the local coordinator of the coalition's Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) prevention program. The program is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Felton and other coalition members have worked hard to implement programs and events to foster a healthy and safe community.
Most of Us
The Most of Us - campaign - with its billboards - is the latest big undertaking for the coalition.
The billboards near the Trail Break Bar & Grill on Highway 317 are an element of the local "Most of Us" campaign.
Most of Us is a nationwide research-backed program based on teens' perception of drug and alcohol use versus teens' actual drug and alcohol use.
Most of Us launched during 2009 after Pine River-Backus 7-12th grade students took a survey measuring their use of drugs and alcohol compared to their impressions of their peers' use.
The survey results indicated that students think that their peers are using drugs and alcohol more often than the actual numbers indicate.
The goal of Most of Us is to narrow the gap between perception and reality to help students understand that "Most of Us" aren't, in fact, using.
Aside from the survey and resulting billboards south of town, Felton has hung posters around town to display survey results related to PR-B.
For instance, one colorful poster states "Most Pine River-Backus students don't drink in a typical month."
Coalition member Wanda Mongan said that she's passionate about the coalition's efforts to reduce violence and prevent alcohol abuse. And the coalition has multiple ways to accomplish those efforts.
Teens Leading the Way
"Teens Leading the Way" is a high school group working to keep students free of ATOD use and abuse. Last year the Teens Leading the Way high school students filmed a public service announcement that was shown before movies at Bear Pause Theatre in Hackensack. The teens' message in the short film was that there are plenty of fun alternatives to using drugs and alcohol.
This year students will be filming another public service announcement to be shown before the movies.
Aside from the public service announcements, the coalition has fostered ATOD prevention curriculum in the schools. Students in grades fourth; and sixth-12th grade received training in resisting drugs and alcohol and understanding the effects and impact of ATOD abuse.
PR-B Superintendent Cathy Bettino said that she's supported the use of the research-based curriculum in the classrooms. Bettino said she knows that the coalition's work is important and can make a difference in the community.
The coalition's foremost concern is the health and wellbeing of the children and the community, according to Bettino.
Denise Koring, PR-B Youth and Family Services coordinator, is also a longtime coalition member. She has been most involved in the coalition's early goal of reducing domestic violence. She helps teach violence prevention in the schools and implemented the Bully-proofing program at PR-B. Koring also assists Felton with the substance abuse awareness curriculum at PR-B. "It takes a coordinated effort to keep our kids safe and healthy," according to Koring.
Safe Homes
And, parents are getting involved in the ATOD prevention effort too. So far 238 PR-B families have pledged to be a part of the Safe Home Parent Program. A part of the program families pledge to be present and visible during parties held at their home and to not serve or allow underage youth to consume alcohol, drugs or tobacco on their property.
Parents signing the pledge also promise to privately inform fellow Safe Home parents if they witness the other parents' son or daughter using.
Aside from working with area parents, the coalition also works with law enforcement on a number of initiatives.
Zero Adult Providers
One of which is Zero Adult Providers Program (ZAP). ZAP is a partnership between the coalition and area law enforcement to identify and prosecute adults providing liquor to minors.
ATOD funds will reimburse law enforcement offices if off-duty officers respond to an underage drinking party.
The ZAP program has resulted in arrests and criminal charges for adult providers.
Liquor compliance
The coalition also fosters alcohol compliance checks at liquor establishments in the area.
A December 2008 compliance check resulted in 62 percent of the businesses checked passing. The other 38 percent of the businesses checked in December failed by providing to minors.
A similar check in May 2009 resulted in 87 percent of the businesses passing.
Several businesses were charged in Cass County District Court with selling to minors as a result of the compliance checks.
The coalition's ATOD program also provides Responsible Server Training that includes helping liquor establishment employees identify fake IDs.
Community events
Aside from the coalition's involvement with the school and area businesses - members are also involved in community events including the Safe Home Parent Celebration; partcipation in the PR-B Health and Wellness Fair; and PR-B Family Day.
The group meets at 2 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at Backus City hall. Everyone is invited to attend to learn more about the coalition and offer input or volunteer.
More information is available online at www.prbatod.org or by calling Felton at (218) 587-4292.
