By Ronica Shannon
Madison County ASAP (Agency for Substance Abuse Policy) is bringing alcohol and drug abuse awareness to Berea, but in the form of fun and games.
ASAP’s Drug-Free Fun Day will be conducted May 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Acton Folk Center on Jefferson Street.
Several safety aspects will be highlighted, ranging from Internet safety to impaired driving.
The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office will be offering Internet safety demonstrations; the National Guard will host a booth where people will have a chance to ride a bike while wearing “drunk goggles”; Madison County’s Youth In Action group will give an Alco-Pops presentation; and computers will be set up for demonstration for parents and children to use and explore Internet safety issues.
The Berea Parks and Recreation Department will help with various games, and also help provide prizes and food.
Miss Kentucky Emily Cox will be the guest speaker at the event, which will include a Berea Volunteer/Fire rescue cookout lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Department also will have a drug canine demonstration.
The event is a way to bring about drug and alcohol awareness topics, but on a child-friendly level, according to magistrate Bill Tudor, a member of the ASAP Board.
As long as the use of drugs, tobacco and alcohol among America’s youth is an issue, whether big or small, the ASAP program says it is there to help the fight.
“As a community, we must accept the obligation to promote and educate others in alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention programs,” said Barbara Bentley, chair of the ASAP Board. “As a result, we will see a decrease in the use and abuse of the substances in our community and the consequences related.”
Ruth R. Davis, health education director for the Madison County Health Department, explained some characteristic parents may want to be on the lookout for.
Disruptive behaviors seen among these youth may take the form of cursing, bullying, fighting, neglecting school studies and work assignments, skipping school and/or dropping out of school, using tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, dealing drugs and stealing, among many others, according to Davis.
She also gave tips about how to prevent youth from engaging in these behaviors. These tips include: teach parents how to be actively involved in their children’s lives, teach parents about the developmental stages of their children and what is appropriate to expect at each stage.
The Madison County Fiscal Court acknowledged the problem with substance abuse in the community.
“Along with local leaders in Madison County, the fiscal court began a search for answers to many issues revolving around drug use,” Bentley said. “The Madison County ASAP Board of Directors was appointed to administer a grant to be used for the treatment, community awareness and prevention of substance abuse.”
ASAP consists of local government and local non-profit agencies with a focus on alcohol and drug prevention, cessation and treatment.
The program was developed in 2001 and addresses the needs, lack of local services, along with risk and protective factors.
Some of ASAP’s accomplishments include: Helping to fund school resource officers, investing funds into drug court programs, working with the National Guard, state drug task forces and local law enforcement to promote drug awareness training and hosting regional youth summits focused on tobacco use and underage drinking.
Contact Madison County ASAP Coordinator Jason Morgan at 624-4700 for more information.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
