Reducing and preventing illegal drug use

In 2007, the United Way of Bemidji Area's board of directors identified drug addiction as one of the top issues facing our community.  In an effort to lead the way in eliminating and preventing drug use in the Bemidji area, United Way of Bemidji Area formed a key partnership with the Drug Free Coalition of North Central Minnesota, for a monthly fee we provide office space and administrative support to the DFC executive director and its members. The United Way serves as an active member of the DFC's steering committee, Drug Free Workplace committee and Social Marketing Campaign for Underage Drinking. The Drug Free Coalition of North Central Minnesota is supported through a federally funded  drug free communities grant; regional and local grants; and in-kind support by coalition members.  A group of diverse leaders and organizations that make up the Coalition membership focus on strategies to prevent and reduce alcohol, tobacco, illegal drug use, and violence.  The collaborative approach provides a comprehensive plan to achieve real, lasting results.
 

The Drug Free Coalition of North Central Minnesota's Initiatives:
 
Special programs, activities, events, and/or professional development support grants, which:
1) transform the North Central Minnesota region from a Good to Great place for youth, and for families to grow healthy, happy, and successful children;
2) reduce the problems caused in the greater Bemidji area by underage drinking, drug use and violence; and/or
3) sustain the Coalition in its overall coordination, planning, and resource development functions.  Moreover, to provide active leadership and structure, and to celebrate successes of the Coalition

Drug Free Workplace
Financially supported through a Beltrami County Board of Commissioners grant, the Drug Free Workplace initiative offers local businesses training, resources, and guidance in creating and/or sustaining drug free workplace policies and procedures, and the tools necessary to successfully implement the policies and procedures. 
The results:  Companies who implement drug free workplace policies and procedures will find that productivity increases, job related accidents decrease, employee absenteeism decreases, employees, particularly new hires are retained, and the quality of workers in the existing workforce pool rises.. 

Underage Drinking Social Marketing Campaign
Financially supported through a North Country Health Services Foundation Community Health grant, the Underage Drinking Social Marketing Campaign committee will be designing, developing and implementing a Underage Drinking Social Marketing Campaign to address the continuing problems and issues that are the result of underage and binge drinking in the North Central region of Minnesota.  The campaign will heighten awareness of the seriousness of underage and binge drinking, while developing culturally appropriate resources and referral services to assist parents, youth, and communities in addressing this serious health problem throughout the region.

For more information visit www.drugfreencmn.com