Pubdate: Thu, 17 Apr 2003
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Section: Metro
Copyright: 2003, The Tribune Co.
Contact: http://tampatrib.com/opinion/lettertotheeditor.htm
Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Note: Limit LTEs to 150 words
Author: Sherri Ackerman of the Tribune

ANTIDRUG ALLIANCE TAPS RESEARCH

Grant Allows Survey of Specific Problems

TAMPA - In Ybor City, it's underage drinking. The University of South 
Florida area is plagued by illegal drugs. In Brandon, it's a burgeoning 
crime rate.

The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance hopes to zero in on those 
problems and others inherent in particular communities through a national 
program being touted by the wife of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

Communities That Care uses research, surveys and analysis to help 
communities find solutions. The system was developed by two University of 
Washington professors and is marketed by Channing Bete Co. of Massachusetts.

Consultants travel the country to train established organizations with 
methods proven to reduce teen pregnancy, youth smoking and other issues 
that hurt communities, Michele Ridge said Monday during a visit to Tampa.

When her husband became governor of Pennsylvania in 1995, she supported the 
program throughout the state - which, like Florida, has extensive rural and 
elderly populations as well as large cities. Today, she is a spokeswoman 
for Communities That Care.

The first step is to organize a committee and enlist members, who spend 
about four to five months in intensive training sessions that result in 
surveys specific to their community. Channing Bete analyzes results, then 
designs a program based on successful public health models, Ridge said.

The program "allows you to [home] in on what your real priorities are and 
what real funding sources are available," she said. "And it develops 
leadership skills in your community."

The company points to achievements in communities such as LaCrosse, Wis., 
where the juvenile delinquency rate declined 8 percent and child protective 
services referrals fell 10 percent in 1996.

To start the effort in Hillsborough, the Florida Office of Drug Control 
awarded the local antidrug alliance about $15,000 in grant money, announced 
this week.

James McDonough, the state drug control director, said at an open house at 
the Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office in Tampa that the alliance 
and 50 coalitions statewide have had an impact.

Since 1999, when his office began tracking teen violence and other crimes, 
Florida has seen a decline in underage drinking as well as drug abuse and 
smoking by youths, McDonough said.

The Hillsborough alliance also received a $25,000 grant last month from a 
pharmaceutical company, Purdue Pharma, that makes the addictive painkiller 
OxyContin.

The alliance provides similar guidance to law enforcement, substance abuse 
treatment providers and others, but it has acted more as a sounding board 
and advocacy group.

"We don't have the expertise [Channing Bete] has with surveys and 
research," longtime alliance member Sue Carrigan said. "How do you know 
where to start?"

Kay Doughty, director of DACCO's family center and substance abuse 
services, heads the new alliance committee. Anyone interested in 
participating can call her at (813) 980-3866.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager