Letters to the Editor – 5/18/17

opinions

May 18, 2017 - 12:00 AM

Dear editor.
Marmaton Valley recently hosted the KSHSAA regional baseball tournament.
Doug Desmarteau, athletic director of Allen Community College, was gracious and allowed us to use the college’s facilities so we could make this a memorable experience for the student athletes involved.
I just wanted to let you know how good is was to work with him, and how willing he was to accommodate us.
Coach Matt Valley was there every day, setting things up and working the field between each game. He was incredible!
It is refreshing to work with people that have the same passion for the people of Allen County, regardless of what school they are at.
Mike McEwan,
Athletic Director
Marmaton Valley Wildcats

Dear editor,
ACMAT is a group of agencies and citizens that promote and enhance healthy lifestyles for the families of Allen County. We strive to reduce substance use/abuse among adults/youth in our community. We do this by providing education and increasing prevention efforts for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in the schools and out in the community. ACMAT strives to make the citizens of Allen County proud to call this place home.
May 15-19 is National Prevention Week. ACMAT wants to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health within our community. This year’s theme “Making Each Day Count.”
The focus for each day is as follows:
• Monday —  prevention of tobacco use among youth;
•  Tuesday — prevention of alcohol use among minors;
• Wednesday — prevention of prescription medication abuse;
• Thursday — prevention of marijuana use, and
• Friday — suicide prevention.
One way you can make a difference in your home is by starting conversations about these subjects. It is proven that the more a parent talks to their kids about underage use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs the child is less likely to experiment with them.
Research-based prevention programs can be cost-effective. Recent research shows that for every $1 spent on prevention saves over $20 in treatment, illness, legal issues, and recovery. Through federal grants ACMAT has been able to bring Botvin Lifeskills training into the class rooms of our youth in Allen County.  We are teaching youth the tools they can utilize in their teenage years to help them stay substance free.  The coalition is forming smaller youth coalitions in each school district in the county for kids that want to make a difference in their schools by taking a stand choosing to be alcohol, tobacco, and drug free.
— Jaime Westervelt,
DFC Project Coordinator,
Allen County Multi-County Team

Related
October 30, 2019
August 25, 2018
May 24, 2012
October 15, 2010