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 Some of the participants included multiple branches of law
enforcement including police officers from several communities,
representatives from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois
State Police, local fire departments, Logan County State’s Attorney
Jonathan Wright, Logan County Coroner Robert Thomas, Logan County
Probation, as well principals and superintendents from several Logan
County Schools, and other groups and organizations.
The group was there to begin the process of a strategic, 4-Pillar
Plan to address the use of heroin in Logan County. The meeting was
led by Nadia Klekamp, an ATOD member who is also on staff with
Chestnut Health Systems. At the beginning of the meeting, Klekamp
identified the four pillars as Prevention, Treatment, Enforcement,
and Harm reduction. She explained that the focus of this meeting
would be on Prevention.
After hearing from a special guest speaker, an addict in recovery;
and reviewing some local statistics on drug and alcohol abuse,
Klekamp moved on to how to address prevention.
Klekamp explained that there are three classifications of
prevention:
Primary - stopping it before it starts.
Secondary - reducing use, stopping progression.
Tertiary - harm reduction focus, which will be separate from this
discussion and be highlighted in later discussions.
 She said that for the purpose of this group, the first two
classifications would be the primary focus because the third “harm
reduction” would work into the fourth pillar.
In order for the group to be successful, she said a strategic plan
needed to be developed and that measurable outcomes should be
identified. For the plan to have outcomes, she said the group would
first need to determine what prevention programs are already in
place and how well they are working. She explained this would create
the “baseline” for future data. The success or failure of the
program can then be determined based on the shift in data.
To start the process of creating the baseline, Klekamp divided the
room into several small groups. Each group was then accompanied by a
member of the ATOD, and given questions to discuss and answer.
The first question was, “What prevention strategies are we currently
doing that work?”
The second question was, “What prevention strategies are we
currently doing that are not working?”
The third question, “What prevention strategies do you think would
work for our: Community - Parents - Schools?”
When the groups came back to discuss their findings, many grouped
the first two questions together in their statements, and also
talked about some of the hurdles or shortcomings they see. They also
offered some good opinions in response to the third question.
All the groups recognized that the local D.A.R.E. program is a good
tool to aid in drug prevention. However, some thought that the
program was not targeting younger children when it should be. It was
noted that D.A.R.E is a middle school and high school program. But
the 2012 statistic that nine percent of children begin smoking
marijuana at age 13 indicates that perhaps the program should be
starting at the elementary age level rather than junior high school.
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The Healthy Communities Partnership Substance
Free Bowling Party held annually was mentioned as a fun, family
event that promotes having fun without drugs and alcohol. It was
noted that the annual event has grown substantially over the
last few years, even though it did get off to a slow start.
Another group mentioned the Victim Impact Panel. The V.I.P.
program is sponsored by the Healthy Communities Partnership.
According to information provided to LDN in 2014, “the Victim
Impact Panel is a program for offenders of driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs. The panels are a
non-confrontational presentation given by victims of DUI crashes
who speak about the impact the DUI crash has had on their lives.
The panel presents an often unheard perspective to DUI
offenders. Judges often include the requirement to attend a VIP
as part of a sentence, in the hopes that offenders will benefit
from learning firsthand about the trauma, physical pain,
emotional suffering and devastation, financial loss, anger and
frustration that DUI victims and family members commonly
experience.”
It was also mentioned that there is a drug recycling program
that permits parents to safely dispose of unused prescription
drugs in their homes, thus taking away the opportunity for
children to “experiment” with drugs through painkillers,
anti-depressants, and other harmful narcotics.
The groups also recognized some areas needed more attention.
Mark Miller of the Lincoln Police Department noted that local
firefighters do safety training in the public schools, but they
are not equipped to discuss drug and alcohol abuse.
Another group noted that there are not many opportunities for
kids outside of sports in this area. It was suggested that there
needs to be more activities and places for kids that don’t focus
on athletics. It was also suggested that there needed to be more
parent counseling on drug prevention.
Klekamp was asked if parent counseling is part of the treatment
program at Chestnut Health Systems. She said it could be but
often depended on how big a problem was with the child or
patient.
 State's Attorney Jonathan Wright was asked if parent counseling
was required through the legal system. He said for juvenile
cases it often is part of the program.
Another group noted that drug and alcohol abuse in children may
be fed by drug and alcohol abuse at home. That group felt there
was a need for a safe place where children can go to talk about
what is going on at home.
A member of the “His Hands” organization noted that the group
now has a community center across the street from Ray White Park
in Lincoln. There are volunteers there, and children can come
and go freely. While there, they have the opportunity to vent to
caring adults about what is going on at home, if they wish. He
said no child is pressured into such discussions, but caring,
Christian adults are there for them if needed.
Angela Stoltzenburg said in response to question number three;
her group felt there needed to be a larger presence of mentoring
groups such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Another person
noted that the “Girls on the Run” program was growing locally.
That group also promotes good health and a substance-free
lifestyle.
Klekamp was well pleased with the responses to the first three
questions but noted that the group was out of time for
discussion. She said there were two more questions that she had
hoped to get to, but that would have to wait until the next
meeting.
Those questions were, “What kind of commitment will it take to
realistically address the problem? What additional resources are
needed?” and “What barriers exist to implement these
strategies.”
As they prepared to adjourn, the group was reminded that in the
packets they were given at the beginning of the day were pages
with various resources listed that focus on drug and alcohol
intervention and treatment. Klekamp said the work would continue
at the next meeting which will be held on Thursday, March 17th.
[Nila Smith]
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