FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (EASTON-FEBRUARY 25, 2008)
Talbot County Blue Ribbon Commission Publishes Findings and Action Plan
Over the last year, Talbot County Council’s Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC), comprised of 15 leaders representing a cross-section of the community, reviewed data on high local rates of substance abuse, and recommended a community-wide plan of action for reducing those rates. The BRC data analysis led the Commission to conclude that “Talbot County has a growing substance abuse and addictions problem” not limited to its youth. The BRC identified three root causes for the substance abuse problem: 1) our community culture accepts substance abuse; 2) interventions for substance abuse occur too late; and 3) drugs and alcohol are too easy to obtain at home and in the community.
From January to May of 2007, key stakeholders from education, health and human services, law enforcement, the judicial system, business, the Liquor Board, media and recreation met with the BRC to answer questions and present suggestions. The BRC developed a list of 34 interventions to address the root causes and selected thirteen interventions, each with expected short, medium, and long-range results, with which to begin.
In addition to the prioritized interventions, the BRC recommended: 1) developing an annual Community Report Card on substance abuse; 2) gathering additional data on youth behavior; and 3) advocating on a state-wide basis for three types of policy changes: a) suspending, revoking or delaying drivers’ licenses as a consequence of underage drinking or drug abuse; b) informing schools of youth substance abuse violations; and c) raising state alcohol taxes.
The BRC Action Plan spreads responsibilities across various segments of the community. The plan has financial commitment from the Talbot Family Network and the Talbot Partnership, as well as built-in revenue generation. The momentum created by the work of the BRC has already led to the implementation of a number of the prioritized interventions.
The BRC recommended that the Talbot County Council appoint an oversight committee comprised of Talbot County citizens and agency staff to monitor county prevention and treatment initiatives, implement the BRC Evaluation Plan, and publish the annual Report Card.
To receive a copy of the Blue Ribbon Commission Report or to have a presentation to your community organization or workplace, call Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067. Copies of the Blue Ribbon Commission Report may also be downloaded from our web site .
