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Substance Abuse Prevention

Ottawa County Kids are using more than just alcohol at the age of 13. Find out more on how to talk to your kids about drugs.

Choose | Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) | MIP Charges| Drug Testing Kits | Related Links

Communities Helping Ottawa Obtain a Safe Environment (CHOOSE)

CHOOSE is a program that reduces the negative impacts of alcohol in our community using environmental and policy change strategies. The goal of the program is to reduce alcohol involved injuries and deaths in Ottawa County by limiting youth access to alcohol, increasing responsible beverage service and reducing drinking and driving. The goals are achieved by way of the three community taskforces listed below. Community members who are interested in participating in this program or would like more information may contact Amy Oosterink at 616-393-5776 or Aoosterink@miottawa.org.

Drunk Driving Prevention Taskforce: The goal of the Drunk Driving Prevention Taskforce is to reduce the number of Ottawa County residents who drive while intoxicated. The taskforce meets five times a year and is open to the public. Projects of this taskforce include drinking and driving prevention media campaigns. You can help by displaying our Mobile Eyes Poster.

Youth Access to Alcohol Taskforce: The goal of the Youth Access to Alcohol Taskforce is to reduce alcohol access to youth. The taskforce meets on a needed basis. Projects of this taskforce include Safe Prom Initiatives alerting local stores, hotels and other establishments of event locations and dates to deter alcohol involved prom festivities. Retailers, restaurants and other establishments can help by keeping a keen eye for minors attempting to gain access to alcohol and displaying the Safe Prom Poster each spring.

Responsible Beverage Service Taskforce: The goal of the Responsible Beverage Service Taskforce is to decrease the percentage of patrons exiting retail establishments intoxicated. This group is made up of liquor licensed establishments and meets quarterly. This group promotes trainings for servers in licensed alcohol establishments, offers Holiday Tune Up Trainings for retailers and assists local police departments conducting alcohol compliance checks. The following resources have been developed to help retailers and wholesalers abide by the alcohol laws and keep our communities safer.

Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) - Trainings for Licensed Alcohol Establishments

CHOOSE offers Ottawa County a low cost alcohol management training called TIPS. Recognized and suggested by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, TIPS prepares your staff to minimize the legal and safety risks to your establishment and the community associated with alcohol service. The course provides information, skills training, and practice that are customized to your specific work situation. Staff certification is good for three years. The trainer is Stephanie VanDerKooi, Health Educator, from the Ottawa County Health Department. Stephanie has trained hundreds of servers and clerks in the Ottawa County Area and was awarded TIPS trainer of the Month in 2006. There is a $30 charge per person which includes books, materials, and black lights to help identify fake IDs. View upcoming trainings and register online. To register by phone or to inquire about a private training at your worksite, contact Amy Oosterink at (616) 393-5776 or Aoosterink@miottawa.org .

Drug Testing Kit Information

The Ottawa County Health Department Holland and Hudsonville offices offer low cost, in-home drug testing kits. Three different test kits are available. Kits are available to test for only alcohol, only marijuana, or for five drugs: amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates and marijuana. (This is also called a "5-Panel" test kit.) The alcohol kit tests saliva and the drug kits test urine. Each single substance kit costs $5 and the 5-Panel kit is $10. You must be age 18 or older to purchase a testing kit. The kits are tools for empowering parents and caregivers and encouraging them to discuss drugs and alcohol with their children. Educational materials accompany the kits to help in the discussion. The results of the tests are for home use only and are not admissible in any legal proceedings. The tests are sold anonymously. The alcohol test is 93% accurate, the marijuana test is 97% accurate, and the 5-Panel test is 92% accurate. More Information

Tips for Parents and Youth about Minor In Possession Drug Charges

An MIP (Minor in Possession) for alcohol or other drugs can have serious consequences on the youth that get caught. Below is an overview of the potential of consequences of receiving an MIP in Ottawa County.

Consequences:

Minor in Possession: Possess, consume, purchase, and have any bodily alcohol content could result in...

• $100.00 fine
• community service
• substance abuse treatment services

Furnishing to a Minor:

• $1,000 and/or 60 days in prison
• If resulting in death, 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine

False ID: A fraudulent ID to purchase alcohol could result in...

• 93 days in jail and/or $100.00 fine

Minor with a Blood Alcohol Content: Having a bodily content of 0.02 grams or more of alcohol could result in...

• 360 hours of community service
• $250 court fee
• Mandatory drug testing and mandatory rehabilitative programs
• Reimburse government for emergency response
• Entire family could be dropped from the car insurance company you currently have

Possession of Marijuana:

• $2,000.00 fine and or 1 year in prison
• Drivers license suspension for 6 months to 1 year

Using Marijuana:

• $100.00 and or 90 days in prison
• Possible AIDS/Hepatitis testing
• Drivers license suspension for 6 months to 1 year

Selling of Marijuana: Manufacturing, creating, delivering, and possessing with the intent to deliver could result in...

• $20,000 fine and or 4 years in prison
• Drivers license suspension for 6 months to 1 year

Impact on the Future

Scholarships - If cited with any of the above criminal offenses students could lose eligibility for their college scholarships.

Jobs/Military - Several such as: health care, aviation, law enforcement, military may not hire if an offense from alcohol is on the record.

Many employers require drug testing before hiring too!

Related Links

Parents:
www.theantidrug.com The Anti-Drug. Tips and ideas to help parents make a difference; by preventing alcohol and other drug use.
www.niaaa.nih.gov Information, publications, news and frequently asked questions from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
www.nida.nih.gov More information about alcohol and other drugs.
www.ncadd.org This website has straightforward information about how to address alcohol issues with your children.

Teens:
www.checkyourself.org Partnership for a Drug-Free America that offers resources, information, quizzes and videos for teens to question themselves about their drug use.

En Espanol:
Los Padres: La Anti-Droga

Main Office

Social Media Sites Policy

Other Locations

Grand Haven
16920 Ferris Street
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8360
FAX: (616) 844-1778
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
8pm-12pm & 1pm-5pm

Hudsonville
3100 Port Sheldon Road
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Phone: (616) 669-0040
FAX: (616) 669-3039
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm

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