STUART — To prevent another tragedy, like the Aug. 4 crash that killed three teenagers in Stuart, it’ll take prevention, awareness and parent involvement.

That’s what officials with Project Northland, a substance abuse prevention organization aimed at Martin County middle school students, believe could make the difference.

On Thursday, Project Northland’s parent action committee held its first meeting of the school year with about a half dozen parents. The group’s mission is to reduce underage drinking and other risky behaviors among local teens through community involvement and awareness. Thursday’s meeting was planned before the fatal crash that killed three teens.

“The more people we get, the more proactive we can get, the more change and impact we can make,” said Jessica Dees-Carlson, Project Northland’s prevention coordinator.

The group hopes to recruit 15 parents for the committee and will be actively soliciting area middle school PTA and volunteer groups, civic organizations and local churches.

Kelli Phillips, a Palm City mother of three, was on the committee last year and is ready to volunteer again. The committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. to discuss parents’ role in preventing youth substance abuse.

“Our biggest problem right now is getting more parents involved and understanding that they make the difference,” Phillips said. “I see parents’ attitudes and sometimes they don’t think there’s a need. But it is so needed in Martin County.”

Project Northland, developed at the University of Minnesota, was introduced into the county’s middle school curriculum in 2001. In 2006, the Martin County School Board, County Commission and Children’s Services Council partnered to form the project’s community component.

Project Northland became part of Tykes & Teens’ new prevention services division in July. The non-profit agency provides mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment to local children and adolescents.

Besides wanting more parents and community members to get involved, the committee is also looking to start a parent network.

“Parents can still make a difference just by being aware,” said Darcy Von Ohlen, director of prevention services for Tykes & Teens.

The next committee meeting is at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Crexent Business Center at 859 N.W. U.S. 1 in Stuart.

For more information, contact Dees-Carlson at (772) 260-9349 or jessica@tykesandteens.org.
Kelly Tyko, TCPalm.com

Tags: children, communication, drinking, drug abuse, Health, organization, parents, students, underage drinking, volunteer, volunteers

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