Alcohol is a particularly serious problem in Talbot County where it is deeply entrenched in our social and cultural norms. Talbot County’s alcohol-induced death rates lead all of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions.

Talbot Partnership for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention would like to provide these reminders for everyone planning to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday:
•Talk to your kids. Know where your children will be and how they will be getting home.
•Be responsible party hosts.
•Don’t drink and drive.
•Remember, beer and wine is just as intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer; a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an ounce and a half of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol.
•Never serve alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age, and never ask children to serve alcohol at parties.

For additional information on what you can do to help avoid the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, contact Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067 or visit their website at www.talbotpartnership.org.

It is a criminal offense in Maryland to host an underage drinking party and it is punishable by law. The social host may be prosecuted by the State under a criminal statute and face fine or imprisonment for the criminal violation. If you break the law, you can be fined up to $2500 and others can sue you if you give alcohol to anyone under 21, they hurt someone, hurt themselves, damage property, or even if no harm comes to anyone.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism (www.niaaa.nih.goc), alcohol is the drug of choice among children and adolescents. Annually, about 5000 youth under age 21 die from motor vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, and homicides and suicides that involve underage drinking.

For further information on these laws or about how to monitor your teen, visit www.talbotpartnership.org or contact Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067.

Kidsave International is a global organization that advocates for and supports the adoption of older children in orphanages and foster care. Host families like the Greaneys welcome a Kidsave child into their home and then use their networks, circles of influence, and the local media to introduce children like Edwin to a family that will adopt them.

“We’re essentially Edwin’s PR agents,” explains Betsy Greaney.“Our job is to tell his story and introduce him to as many people as we can in the short time he is here in the hopes that someone will be inspired to welcome him into their family permanently.”

Edwin was initially placed in Colombian foster care with his brother and sister and now in 2008. He lives in an orphanage with a social worker and 25 other children approximately the same age. After their first visit to the United States with Kidsave in Houston, the organization was unable to find a home for all three children and throughout the course of the past year Edwin’s brother and sister have been adopted separately, leaving Edwin still looking for a forever home.

Edwin arrived in Easton on December 23rd, one week later than expected, so the Greaneys are working double-time on Edwin’s PR campaign. After a hectic Christmas Eve and Christmas schedule, Edwin is fitting right in with the Greaneys’ three sons and days have been filled with neighborhood games of soccer, basketball, and pizza.

“What a brave, selfless child,” Greaney remarks. “Each day we see more and more of Edwin’s spirit and personality from singing in the house, pitching in with chores, and even mischievous practical jokes. He is an absolute joy.”

Edwin continues his busy schedule after the holidays and will be participating in the Talbot County Youth Basketball League, trying his hand at ice hockey, and spending a day at Easton Elementary School and the Country School. Generous community members have also donated medical and dental check-ups, and a professional photography session. Many others have offered their assistance in getting the word out about Edwin by posting flyers and sharing Edwin’s story by word of mouth and through their own social networks.

“With less than two weeks to find Edwin a forever home, the clock is ticking,” explains Greaney. “We hope that anyone who hears about Edwin will share his story with their friends and family so that as many people possible can learn about this wonderful boy and consider making him part of their family. Every child needs someone to make them eat their vegetables, brush their teeth and tuck them in at night – Edwin is no exception.”

To learn more about what Edwin is up to while in Easton, how to meet him or get more information about adoption, visit www.easternshorekidsave.wordpress.com, or contact Betsy Greaney at betsygreaney@gmail.com.

Our youth and young adults are being offered a drug and alcohol educational experience to change their behavior and attitudes. The RESET program is an alternative sentencing option for the judicial system. Parents may also enroll their teenagers without an arrest taking place allowing RESET as an early intervention.

RESET serves 14 to 24 year olds who have fallen victim to drug and alcohol use or are “at risk”. The program serves as an alternative sentencing option or condition of probation by the Courts. RESET is an early intervention education program involving many agencies, volunteers, professionals and facilities. The program serves the upper shore counties.

The program is presented on three Friday nights and one Saturday night, utilizing the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, Chester River Hospital, Queen Anne’s District Courthouse and the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center. Classes begin promptly at 5:45 pm and end at 9:00 pm. The first class educates the students of the short term and long term effects of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and prescription medication along with explaining their effects to family members as well as the community. Class two demonstrates what occurs from accident scene to shock trauma. Nurses, Doctors, Fire Fighters and Emergency Medical personnel share their experiences and expertise while touring the emergency room. Class three is presented in the District Court courtroom having Lance Richardson, State’s Attorney present the laws and penalties related to drug and alcohol use. Guest Speaker Tom Helfenbein relates the finality of death to our students. Guest Speakers from our communities also explain their personal stories and explain how drugs and alcohol have affected their personal lives. Parole and Probation Agent Broughton explains how her staff control those on court ordered probation. Class four is a tour of the penal system, directed by Correctional Officer Cpl. Sandford. Inmates also explain their involvement in gangs, theft and other crime that relates to drug and alcohol use and abuse. Homework assignments are given that relate to each class.

This is not a “scared straight” approach; however, the program is intended to give a “hands on” experience in what will take place in someone’s life if drugs and alcohol are in control. Our volunteers and professionals that are involved are giving our students an opportunity to make a change and become productive members of our communities.

A student fee allows the program to be offered at no cost our taxpayers. The student is responsible for payment and attending all four classes in order to complete the program. Teen Court, Circuit Court, District Court as well as the State’s Attorney’s Office utilize the program to afford an educational opportunity as part of their adjudication.
For more information or to enroll:
J. Terry Ober, RESET Administrator
443-995-5367

http://www.terryober.weebly.com

In our society, consumption of alcohol and celebrations traditionally go hand in hand. Anyone can experience problems when drinking alcohol. We all make choices about how much and how often we consume. Alcohol is a depressant. Use may affect cognitive ability, coordination and physical health. During a season when energy levels need to be high, stress levels tend to rise and social opportunities abound, we need to keep in mind the importance of celebrating with care.

As a parent, remember that you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21, under any circumstance, even in your own home, even with their parent’s permission. You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than you own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol.

You can face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $2500 fine. Others can sue you if you give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they, in turn, hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property. Officers can take any alcohol, money or property used in committing the offense.

Things you can do as a parent:
• Know where your kids are and what they are doing. Remind them of your rules and expectations.
• Refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21.
• Be at home when your teen has a party.
• Make sure that alcohol is not brought into your home or property by your teen’s friends.
• Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at other events your child will be attending.
• Create alcohol-free opportunities and activities in your home so teens feel welcome.
• Report underage drinking to local law enforcement.

For further information on alcohol and other drug abuse prevention, contact Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067.

Talbot Partnership would like to share these tips from MADD to help ensure everyone’s safety this Halloween:
·      Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin
·      Never serve those under the age of 21 alcohol
·      Plan safe parties, including providing non-alcoholic drink options to guests and not serving alcohol the last hour of the party
·      Be prepared to get everyone home safe in case your plans or individual circumstances change

Going trick-or-treating:

Be extra alert when crossing the street
Wear bright, reflective clothing or add reflective tape to costume and treat bucket
Bring a flashlight (with extra batteries) so you can see and be seen at night

Parents, remember you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21, under any circumstance, even in your own home, even with their parent’s permission. You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than you own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol.

Please help protect your child’s bright future by providing a safe, alcohol-free Halloween for your son or daughter. Parents have more influence than they think on their teens’ use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. For more tips on parenting substance-free youth, visit www.talbotpartnership.org. Parents may also sign up on the website for Talbot Partnership’s new E-Newsletter, which also offers tips for parents.

“I had heard from several of our mentees that they had never made s’mores,” said Jessika Best, Talbot Mentors’ Program Coordinator. Camp Wright Director Dee Zeller and her staff invited the Talbot Mentors group to their facility, and provided a fun-filled evening of s’mores and more.

Camp Wright is one of many local and regional facilities to which Talbot Mentors helps send its students for summer camp experiences. This was an opportunity for families and mentors to join the students in a sampling of camp activities.

More than two dozen Talbot Mentors kids and adults traveled to Stevensville for Camp Night, with transportation provided by the Camp Wright staff. The evening included archery, games and team-building exercises, followed by dinner, s’mores and stories around the campfire.

“We work closely with Camp Wright and send several mentees each year to its residential summer camps,” noted Best. “It really is a wonderful place and the counselors do a great job. We cannot thank Dee and her staff enough for this opportunity to share a taste of that experience with more of our Talbot Mentors family.”

For more information, to make a contribution, or to volunteer as a mentor, call Talbot Mentors at 410-770-5999 or visit www.talbotmentors.org.

The campaign is a multi-month full marketing and PR initiative with multimedia elements including radio bytes, mail campaign literature, a comprehensive website, social media initiatives, and both print and online advertisements. The target audience of “Be the Parent on the Scene!” is parents, teens, and the community in general.

The visual advertisements present the campaign’s message in a simple question and answer format with inquiries such as, “What are the risks of teen drinking?” and “What can I do to keep my teen from drinking?”

“Be the Parent on the Scene!” is a social norms marketing campaign. A social norms marketing campaign works strategically to shift people’s perception of what is “normal” or socially typical.

“We hope this campaign will help to realign some of the misconceptions of underage drinking,” says Paula Lowry, Prevention Coordinator of the Talbot County Health Department. “It all starts with the parents. By targeting the adults, we hope to heighten awareness of the problem and get the community to work together to prevent underage drinking.”

Underage drinking is a prominent issue among Eastern Shore teens. The Talbot and Dorchester County Health Departments hope to decrease the amount of underage drinking in the area by reviewing the consequences of buying for minors, encouraging parents to actively discuss the issue of drinking with their teenage children, and reiterating the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.

“Kids may drink to look cool or to fit in, but they don’t realize what they’re getting themselves into,” says Ervina Johnson, AOD Abuse Prevention Supervisor of the Dorchester County Health Department. “There are times when the parents need to step in and take over, and this campaign reassures the adults that it’s ok to do that.”

The “Be the Parent on the Scene!” campaign is funded by the Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Talbot County Health Department, and the Dorchester County Health Department.

About the Talbot and Dorchester County Health Departments’ Collaboration

For more information about the campaign and its components, please visit www.theparentonthescene.org.