HomeMy WebLinkAbout0543.091,
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December 5, lS91
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, California
JieJlbers of the Counci 1:
I'D9ft 1ft Bria,
"rhis is an informational report regardinq commur!ity-based
activities designed to address substance abuse. No council act,ion
is required .
•• ekqroun§
Palo Alto SAFE {Substance Abuse Free Environment), formerly known
as palo Alto Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership, is a
community-based organization establisheo to increase the awareness
'Of alcohol and other drug abuse amonq children, adolescents and.
adults. The partnership, which was formed in January 1990 by the
Palo Alto Unified School Distriot and the Palo Alto Police
DepartJlent, wi th support or the Ci ty counei 1, embarked upon a
series of long-term prevention and intervention strategies to
combat substance abuse in the community. This report provides an
update an the activities p~ Palo Alto SAFE.
PurpoS.
The group consists of approximately 100 member-s representing a
cross section of the community including government, education,
voluntary and religious orqanizations, business, medicine, mental
health, media, students and residents of ralo Alto. A 12-member
exe.cutive board coordinates all activities of the g,;-oup. The
purpose of the group is to:
1) Encourage community members from law enforcement,
eC:ucation, business media, health care.., and religious
organizations to coordinate preventior. and intervention
programs. Red Ribbon Week is an example of the. larqest
undertaking which brings these individual groups together
on a single event.
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2) Share resources and knowledge through networking_
1) Devalop, implement,
projects concerning
interventi~n .
evaluate and sustain cooperative
substance abuse prevention and
Activities a.nc:! programs that oriqinate from Palo Alto SAFE are
funded throuqh qrants and pr:ivate sources. While City funds are
not used, some Police Department statt time has been allocated to
participate in the group.
Palo Alto SAFE alao pro.otes chemical-tree activities tor youth.
Last year" Palo Alto SAFE 'Was avarded. ill. grant by the palo Alto
Foundation tor Education for the funding o£ -Friday Night Live,·
which vas held at Gunn. High school during fiscal year 1990-sn.
This event provided education throuqh ill series of youth chemical
free activities. The Youth Activities Center at Mitchell Park$
which hosts after school and weekend activities~ has also benefited
from Palo Alto SAFE donations.
Palo Alto SAFE bas been recognized tor numerous accomplishments:
Santa Clara County Supervisor Dianne McKenna
reqr~ested that a Palo Alto SAFE representative
serve on the Santa Clara county Alcohol Board.
Members formed task forces for the purpose of
addressinq five programjissues: Drug-Free
Workplace.; Red Ribbon Week; youth-Adult i'Orum;
Legislative Issilesi and a Recovery Support
Group.
The Santa Clara County Oft ice of substance
Abuse Prevention requested that a Palo Alto
SAFE member participate on a panel to assist
other communities with the development of
similar partnerships.
The Recovery Support task force is working on
developing a Palo Alto recovery referral
guide. In conjunction with the Chamber of
Commerce and the Gatehouse Restaurant, the
Drug-Free Workplace task force coordinated and
co-sponsored a ~orkshop conducted on drug-free
workplace policy issues.
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Conelu.fOll
Palo Alto SAFE is still groving in membership activities and
.nthusiasm. Plana are being develcped that will lead to ever more
beneticial and visible result.. ThIS Police. Department will
continue active participation in this program.
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