Substance Abuse Prevention

Free Lock It Up Medication Bag

Call 616-393-5791 to pick up your free Lock It Up medication bag.

TiPS

TiPS Training Brochure

Ottawa County offers a low cost alcohol service training called TiPS (Training for Intervention Procedures). TiPS is nationally recognized and suggested by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The training prepares retailers and servers to minimize the legal and safety risks associated with alcohol misuse that pose a threat to our community. The course provides information, skills training and practices customized to each establishment. Certification lasts for three years, after completion of the course.

The cost of the training is $20 per person and includes a workbook, all materials and a black light (to help identify fake IDs) for each establishment. To register, contact Becky Young, Health Promotion Supervisor, at (616) 393-5791 or ryoung@miottawa.org.

Reducing Ottawa Area Drunk Driving (ROADD) Coalition

ROADD is a community coalition (a part of the OSAP Coalition), which seeks to reduce underage drinking and alcohol involved crashes in Ottawa County by reducing underage access to alcohol, increasing the perception of the consequences of drunk driving and encouraging responsible beverage service practices. For more information contact Becky Young, Health Promotion Supervisor, at (616) 393-5791 or ryoung@miottawa.org.

Alcohol-Related Legal Consequences for Minors in Ottawa County

Alcohol-related offenses cause serious consequences for minors as described below:

Minor in Possession (MIP)

Possess, consume, purchase or have any bodily alcohol content.

First Offense: Misdemeanor
$100 fine
Community service
Substance abuse treatment services

Furnishing to a Minor

First offense: Misdemeanor
$1,000 fine, 60 days in jail
Community service

If resulting in death,

Felony, 10 years in prison and $5,000 fine

Social Host Law: To knowingly allow possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage or controlled substance by an underage person.
Social gathering is defined as an assembly of two or more individuals for any purpose, unless all of the individuals attending the assembly are members of the same household or immediate family.

First Offense: Misdemeanor
$1,000 fine, 30 days in jail

Fraudulent ID to purchase alcohol

First Offense: Misdemeanor
$100 fine, 93 days in jail

OWI (Operating While Intoxicated)

First Offense: Misdemeanor
$500 fine, 93 days in jail
360 hours community service
Driver’s license suspension
Six points added to driving record
Driver Responsibility Fee: $1,000 for 2 years

Zero Tolerance Law

Under the age of 21 and operating with any Bodily Alcohol Content (BAC), means having a BAC of 0.02 to 0.07 or any presence of alcohol in your body other than alcohol that is consumed at a generally recognized religious ceremony.

Social Host & Mobile Eyes Flyer

Impact on the Future

Having an alcohol fine or conviction could affect acceptance to competitive programs and future job offers in fields such as medicine, health, engineering, veterinary medicine, education, law and the military. Involvement in school activities, college admission, financial aid and scholarships could also be affected.
For more information about Michigan law, visit www.legislature.mi.gov.

Mobile Eyes – Call 911 on Drunk Drivers

Call 911 when:

someone is drinking while driving.
a car is swerving or violating traffic signals.
someone is visibly intoxicated; walking to their car to drive.

What to do next:

explain the reason for the call.
give a vehicle description and the license plate number.
give a location (e.g. North on US 31).

Share the Mobile Eyes flyer

Medication Disposal

Prevent drug misuse and abuse. Free disposal of unwanted or expired prescription drugs and over the counter medications are accepted at participating locations. Please remove pills from bottles and place in a sealable plastic bag. Liquids or gels may be kept in original packages with the labels blackened or removed. Click for Disposal Locations

Click here for more information about the GR Red Project’s Clean Works Program – syringe access/needle exchange program.

Talk Sooner Campaign

Youth Substance Abuse Prevention

Ottawa County Youth are using more than just alcohol at the age of 14. Find out how to talk to your kids about drugs and help prevent youth substance abuse.

TALK EARLY. TALK OFTEN. GET THE APP! The Talk Sooner campaign now has an app for iPhone and Android! This app will give you tips and tricks for how to talk to your kids about not using alcohol and other drugs. www.talksooner.org

Contact

Becky Young
Health Promotion Supervisor
(616) 393-5791

Related Websites

For Parents

Alcohol Rehab Guide provides information to alcohol addiction programs and confidential help.

National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. provides straightforward information about how to address alcohol issues with your children.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism provides information, publications and news. Did you know 1 in 4 children will grow up in a home where someone drinks too much? (Also available in Spanish)

National Institute on Drug Abuse provides the “Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction”.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to solving the problem of teen substance abuse. Their website allows parents to connect with each other, tap into expert advice and find support in their role as heroes to their kids.

For Teens

Above The Influence is a state of mind. It’s about being yourself and not getting pressured into drinking, doing drugs or doing anything that goes against who you are in order to fit in.

Department of Public Health