Pubdate: Sat, 26 Jan 2013
Source: Clinton Herald (IA)
Copyright: 2013 The Clinton Herald
Contact:  http://www.clintonherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4254
Author: Natalie Conrad, Herald Staff Writer

GATEWAY IMPACT COALITION HONORED WITH STATE AWARD

CLINTON - Gateway ImpACT Coalition was honored as a leader of
substance abuse prevention in the state at its annual breakfast on
Friday.

Iowa Drug Policy Coordinator Steve Lukan presented the coalition with
one of two state awards given annually by the Governor's Office of
Drug Control Policy for excellence in reducing substance abuse.

"Gateway ImpACT is a perfect example of a coalition doing great work,"
Lukan said. "Gateway has been a leader and continues to go above and
beyond."

The local coalition received the award for outstanding work in
fighting prescription drug abuse and educating families. Gateway has
teamed up with local law enforcement to host the Clean Out Your
Medicine Cabinet Day event for the past five years, collecting 2,800
pounds of prescription drugs.

"Iowa is a leader in pain killer abuse and Gateway ImpACT has been a
huge part of that," Lukan said. "We have collected 20,000 pounds
across the state and Gateway ImpACT has been a real leader with their
Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinets event."

Clinton County is also the first county in the state to offer
medication disposal boxes, provided by a partnership between the
coalition and Clinton County law enforcement agencies. Dropboxes were
installed last fall and are located in the lobbies of the Camanche
police station, Clinton police station and DeWitt police station, in
addition to the Clinton County Sheriff's Office.

"We are leading the way in Iowa and hopefully others will follow,"
Coalition Coordinator Kristin Huisenga said.

In addition to their efforts to tackle prescription drug abuse, the
group provides education and marketing tools for a wide range of
substance issues across the county. They run several workgroups and
educational programs for issues such as marijuana and underage
drinking, methamphetamine, Iowa Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
and are constantly staying on top of new drug trends. Their prevention
efforts have guided and educated the community and addressed a wide
range of age groups.

"Working together can do so much," County Attorney and ImpACT Board
Member Mike Wolf said. "We are a can-do community. We know that
prevention dollars are well spent. This community has always stood up
to tackle things first."

The coalition offers support to businesses and families through its
initiatives.

The Training for Intervention Procedures program offers skills-based
training to prevent intoxication, drunken driving and underage
drinking by educating servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol.
Businesses also gain the ability to protect themselves from legal
issues by offering the training to their employees. More than 500
families took part in their "Got a Minute? Eat with me," campaign last
year and took the pledge to put in more face time with their kids and
build strong relationships to help discourage drug use.

"So many great things have stemmed from the positive initiatives in
the coalition," Board Member Dan Boyd said.

Future plans for Gateway include changing the "Got a Minute? Eat with
me," to emphasize exercise and the Blue Zones Project and offering
more outreach and education for parents.

Community leaders gathered to support the coalition and expressed
their appreciation for the work they have accomplished.

"This is something we can be proud of and continue to be proud of,"
Wolf said. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D