Northfield Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use was formed in 2006 at the initiative of Northfield Mayor Lee Lansing. The Task Force seeks to raise community awareness about local youth substance use and to make recommendations for community interventions to reduce youth use. As the mission of the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth and Alcohol and Drug Use indicates, members are “advocates for and with youth, committed to creating a community where our youth can lead healthy lives free of alcohol and drug use.” The board consists of local residents, appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Accomplishments and current projects include the following:
- Partnering with community agencies to create a locally-focused DVD for parents and community members about youth substance use
- Supporting and promoting law enforcement activities including neighborhood safety, alcohol sales compliance checks, enforcing underage drinking laws and promoting alcohol sales training.
- Conducting court monitoring efforts in adults providing alcohol to minors and other pertinent court cases.
- Developing and implementing the Most Of Us positive community norms campaign.
- Conducting surveys of parents and other community members to inform and direct the group’s work.
- Investigate other best practices in substance abuse prevention for implementation in Rice County with an emphasis on environmental strategies.
- Continue to expand Coalition membership with special emphasis on including members of ethnic communities, businesses and faith communities.
Official Website: http://mayorstaskforcenorthfield.org/
