The end of the school year marks a busy time in the life of students with spring break, prom, graduation and graduation parties. It is also a time, for some, that marks an increased chance of underage drinking.
Combined efforts between Lake Orion High School, the Lake Orion Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and Judge Lisa Asadoorian, of 52-3 District Court, are spearheading a campaign to keep minors safe and informed of the dangers of underage drinking.
On Monday, April 30, a Town Hall Meeting will be held at Lake Orion High School to involve parents and members of the community in this fight.
Michele Novak, substance abuse prevention coordinator for Lake Orion High School, believes that in order to be successfully in reducing underage drinking, the efforts have to come from a united community.
‘It doesn’t matter if it is Lake Orion, Michigan or Boise, Idaho,? Novak said. ‘These are the same issues that are going on around the country. I think that we need to get together and come together as a community.?
‘This is an awesome community. We have a great business community, we have a great group of parents, we have a great school district, we have a lot of great assets, we just need to come together on a collaborative issue,? she added.
Novak’s efforts at the school to educate and prevent substance abuse get students started on the right path, but this needs to continue after the final bell rings.
‘The parents need to be on board,? she said. ‘We have the kids from 7:55 to 2:55 and statistically less than two-percent of the population is consuming any sort of drugs or illegal activities in school.?
‘After hours, we need parents to enforce the rules, we need them to be accountable for and follow through and not provide alcohol or drugs for their kids, provide boundaries, and be a parent. All we are asking for is a collaborative effort.?
It’s the collaboration, Novak said, that will make sure minors are being reinforced with the same information whether it be in school, at home or out in the community.
Novak believes that the Town Hall meeting will be a chance for these different parts to come together as a whole and works towards a common goal. She also hopes to develop a community coalition that will continue this partnership among the different parts of the community in the future.
‘We need the community on board. The schools, the law enforcement, the courts, the faith communities, the business owners, parents, the medical people, all of us need to be onboard,? Novak said. ‘I think the schools are doing an awesome job, I think the parents are doing a good job, I think the community is doing a good job, but we’re not doing it together. If we develop a community coalition, we can all be working for the same cause and we can all be responsible.?
The Town Hall Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on April 30, and is open to all members of the community. It will be held at Lake Orion High School. Anyone with questions can contact Novak at mnovak@lakeorion.k12.mi.us or by calling (248)693-5638.
Novak said that she hopes to see the community in attendance at the meeting.
‘We have great kids in our community, we just need to educate them, utilize them, support them and let them know we care and move forward,? she added. ‘These kids are our future and we need to have a vested interest.?