MOUNT VERNON, IA – With graduation parties just around the corner, many parents, teachers, and police officers worry about underage drinking and drug use. To help identify what can be done to prevent youth alcohol and drug use, Officer Jermaine Galloway will provide a workshop for any interested community members. This free workshop is taking place on Thursday, May 9th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Mount Vernon Middle School auditorium, 525 Palisades Road SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314.
Underage drinking and drug use is a problem throughout Linn County. In the last 30 days, 24% of 11th graders in Linn County have had at least one drink of alcohol and 15% have used marijuana, according to the 2012 Iowa Youth Survey. Officer Galloway’s presentation will provide information about drinking and drug trends and how educators, law enforcement, coalitions, youth, sports teams, and other community members can work together.
Officer Galloway, who stands at nearly seven-feet tall, travels around the country giving trainings and workshops on how to prevent youth alcohol and drug use. He has more than 10 years of experience in underage drinking, drug and alcohol enforcement. The workshop will include over 100 visual aids for attendees to hold and become familiar with. Officer Galloway will discuss issues that are relevant to both residents of the Cedar Rapids metro-area and rural communities.
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Linn County Public Health, Midwest Counterdrug Training Center, Partnership for a Drug-Free Community (PDFC) coalition, and Rural Communities Rising Above the Influence in Linn (RC RAIL) coalition are sponsors of this event.