Substance Abuse Prevention

Choose | Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) | Ottawa County Peer Education Program | MIP Charges| Drug Testing Kits | Related Links

Communities Helping Ottawa Obtain a Safe Environment (CHOOSE)

CHOOSE is a community based program focusing on environmental and policy change regarding alcohol. 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 Stephanie VanDerKooi at 616-393-5776 or svanderkooi@miottawa.org or you can visit www.myspace.com/chooseyouth

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. The meetings are held at the Fillmore Complex Administration Building at 12220 Fillmore Street in West Olive. Upcoming meeting dates will be announced shortly Projects of this taskforce include:

  • Implementation of the BAT Mobile (OWI Operating While Intoxicated) initiative.
  • Drinking and driving prevention media campaigns
  • Party Patrols

CHOOSE LOGOYouth Access to Alcohol Taskforce: The goal of the Youth Access to Alcohol Taskforce is to reduce alcohol access to youth. Taskforce meets five times a year and is open to the public. Upcoming meeting dates will be announced shortly Projects of this taskforce activities include:

Responsible Beverage Service Taskforce: The goal of the Responsible Beverage Service Taskforce is decrease the percentage of patrons exiting retail establishments intoxicated. This group is made up of Liquor licensed establishments who meet five times a year. The meetings are held at the Ottawa County Health Department at 12251 James Street in Holland. Upcoming meetings will be announced.

  • Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) - Trainings for servers in licensed alcohol establishments
  • Trainings for retailers with Michigan Liquor Control Staff, and local law enforcement
  • Alcohol Compliance checks
  • Educating new retailers on the liquor laws

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

The Communities Helping Ottawa Obtain a Safe Environment (CHOOSE) offers a low cost alcohol management training called TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures). Staff is available to train on premise, off premise, and concessions any day of the week at any time. Staff will travel to location to train on-site a maximum of 30 people. There is a $20 charge per person which includes books, materials, and black lights to help identify fake IDs.

Why get my staff TIPS trained? To ensure that all staff is prepared to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, underage drinking, and other hazards that can accompany the sale and service of alcohol. The TIPS 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 over 350 persons in the Ottawa County Area and was awarded TIPS trainer of the Month in June 2006.

Below is the 2010 schedule of trainings. To register for a training or for any further questions, contact Stephanie VanDerKooi at 616.393.5776 or svanderkooi@miottawa.org.

2010 Schedule of Tips Classes:

Date Time Location
March 17 3:30pm-5:30pm Baker Lofts
March 28 10am-11:30am Kings Cove
April 24 8:30am-10:30am Ottawa Beach Inn
May 19 3pm-5pm Holland Health Department
June 23 3:30pm-5pm Holland Health Department

Ottawa County Peer Education Program

The Ottawa County Peer Education Program consists of trained, college-aged students who visit high schools and middle schools throughout Ottawa County and present on topics such as substance abuse and risky sexual behavior. The peer educators work with students in a small group format and perform a variety of activities to enhance understanding of the consequences of substance abuse and risky sexual activity.

The goal of the program is to teach students resistance skills for avoiding unprotected intercourse and substance abuse. Anyone interested in having the peer educators present or would like more information, contact Brian Highstreet at 616.393.5773 or bhighstreet@miottawa.org.

Tips for Parents and Youth about Minor In Possession Drug Charges

An MIP (Minor in Possession) for alcohol or drug charge for marijuana can have serious consequences. If you would like further information on this please contact Stephanie VanDerKooi at 616.393.5776 or svanderkooi@miottawa.org.

Consequences:

  • Minor in Possession (MIP): 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 (BAC): 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!

Drug Testing Kit Information

The Ottawa County Health Department and the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department are pleased to announce a new service for parents who are concerned about substance abuse and their children. The substance abuse prevention program has low cost, in home drug testing kits for alcohol and marijuana available at the Holland Health Department. It is the intent of the Ottawa County Health Department and the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department to maintain an environment where parents are able to purchase and use the drug test kits without fear of legal action against them. In addition to the drug and alcohol test, the kits will also contain various drug education literature, local substance abuse treatment center locations, a list of kit distributors, and information on how to start a discussion about drugs with their children. The kits can be purchased in Holland at 12251 James Street Holland MI 49423; Monday-Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What drugs do the kits test for?

Kits from the health department are available to test for alcohol and marijuana.

What body fluids are used in the tests?

The alcohol test uses saliva and the marijuana test utilizes urine.

How accurate are the tests?

The alcohol test is 95% accurate. The marijuana test is 97% accurate.

How much do the kits cost?

The alcohol kit costs $3. The marijuana kit also sells for $3. Any combination of two kits can be purchased for $5.

Who may purchase the kits?

Purchasers must be 18 years or older. The kits are intended for parents and caregivers.

Why are the kits being offered?

The kits are tools to empower parents and caregivers and to have a dialogue with their kids about drugs.

Do I have to be from Ottawa County to purchase one?

No, this is completely anonymous anyone can purchase them.

Can they be used in legal proceedings?

The results of the tests are for at-home use only, and are not admissible in court or in any legal proceedings. It is the intent of the Ottawa County Health Department to maintain an environment where parents and teens are able to purchase and use the drug test kits without fear of legal action against them.

Is there material to help me discuss this with my children?

Yes, the kits all come with educational materials to help aid in the discussion with your children.
Download Drug Testing Kit Brochure

Related Links

Parents:
http://www.painfullyobvious.com Painfully Obvious® exists to give you the facts about the effects and dangers of prescription drug abuse. It's important that you understand that depending on how prescription drugs are used, they can either save a life... or end it. The information on this site is intended to make it "Painfully Obvious®" that abusing prescription drugs is totally unsafe and totally uncool.
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAMHSA’s National Clearing House for Alcohol and Drug Information.
www.DEA.gov Drug Enforcement Administration
www.intheknowzone.com Information about substance abuse. Increase your knowledge.
www.theantidrug.com The Anti-Drug. Tips and ideas to help parents make a difference; by preventing alcohol and other drug use.
www.drugfreeamerica.org Drug information, parent resources, and tips for parents.
www.connectforkids.org Guidance for parents. Connecting parents to information, news and ideas for action on raising drug free kids.
www.abcparenting.com Great information for developing life skills in children from birth through the teen years.
www.parentingisprevention.org Connect here to learn how important parents are in setting their children on a drug free path. Ask questions, get tips and more.
www.healthfinder.gov A great library of health information from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
www.jointogether.org This site houses news and information about substance abuse and violence.
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.well.com/user/woa This site has information about various drugs with a focus on addictions.
www.cdc.gov Search the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to access fact sheets, news and prevention resources for alcohol and other drug prevention.
www.michigan.gov/mdch Michigan statistics regarding alcohol and other drug use and other useful information.
www.aap.org The American Academy of Pediatrics. Use the search function on this website to look up alcohol or other drug information.
www.ncadd.org This website has straightforward information about how to address alcohol issues with your children.

Teens:
www.freevibe.com online service of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign that offers information, fact sheets, games and posters for teens with a special section on early intervention.
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.
www.thecoolspot.org National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It is a place for teens about “being yourself, thinking for yourself, and getting the facts about underage drinking.”

En Espanol:
Los Padres: La Anti-Droga