Greater Gresham Area Prevention Partnership
The Greater Gresham Area Prevention Partnership (GGAPP) hosted the sixth annual community recognition event and workshop Navigating an Epidemic - Mapping Solutions on Thursday December 8th, 2011 at the National Guard Armory, 544 NE Division, in Gresham.
This event brought together community members and leaders to discuss prevention strategies to combat youth substance abuse and encourage community participation in these efforts. GGAPP's event also provided an opportunity to recognize community members who have led these efforts.
Award winners included:
Chief Ken Johnson Fairview Police
Derrick Garrison, Principal McCarty Middle School
Shaeya Manzi, PAL Youth Center
Aurora Ayon, Padres in Action (pictured with Glenna Hayes GGAPP Co-Chair)
Keven Barrera, Gresham High School - GGAPP Youth Team (Pictured with Chief Scott Anderson GGAPP co-chair)
At GGAPP's event Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson updated guests on efforts to combat substance abuse and implement prevention strategies at the state level. "There is no funding for drug and alcohol prevention at the state level", recounted Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, "and our teens have very easy access to drugs and alcohol, which just ends up costing money in services for treatment, for juvenile detention and gang intervention. The irony of small government and less services is that it gives us all such a great opportunity to roll up our sleeves and get involved."
Christina McMahan, Director Multnomah County Juvenile Services, spoke eloquently about teens she has spent her career working with. Providing enlightening statistics and heart warming antidotes, Ms. McMahan is a champion of the Youth Court model and supporter of restorative justice approaches for teens. She encouraged audience members to get involved, to be that person who is a proud of a teen!
Andrew Robinson, who for more than a decade, has been designing, developing, implementing, and testing innovative approaches for work with teens facilitated the workshop. His guided questions engaged participants in ways that illustrated why adults need to be involved in order to achieve the most effective and lasting reduction of substance use. Participants discovered the shared actions and specific strategies that will make a difference in prevention at the community level. Andrew is also a writer and has published, The Teen Age: 40 Reflections on relating with teens and an e-book called, Own It: How a single sheet of paper can transform how you engage people.
Since 1989 the Transport Accident Commission of Victoria has been producing powerful video public service announcements warning against the dangers and consequences of drunk driving. They recently compiled a powerful montage of the videos they have produced over the years. Please visit GGAPP's Youth Page to view the video. Click here.
There isn't a child in America who won't be faced with the decision of whether or not to try drugs. The average age teens begin using alcohol is thirteen, and the average age they first try marijuana is fourteen. For nicotine, the average starting age is twelve. Why, because, in America, they are readily available. Click here to read more and to find out how parents can be effective in helping to prevent the use of drugs or alcohol among their teens.
This page provides information about local programs ranging from childcare and after-school programs to crime prevention and reporting to drug and alcohol recovery resources. If you know of a program or organization that should be added to this list please contact us.
Movies are fun, first year success!
Special Thanks to Gresham Ford, City of Gresham Plaza & Car Show enthusiasts
Students enjoyed a day filled with learning and activities!
The Greater Gresham Area Prevention Partnership [GGAPP] hosted annual coalition awards luncheon on Friday January 7th at the St Henry's Parish Hall in Gresham. Over 50 community members attended to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organizations dedicated to reducing substance abuse among youth. We were honored to welcome Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, who served as a guest speaker for the event. Please click here to read her speech.
Award Recipients included:
The Outlook Community Newspaper, recognized for their contributions to the GGAPP coalition through the publication of an annual insert on drugs and alcohol that educates the community about the true economic and personal costs of substance abuse.
Gresham Police Officer John Rasmussen, School Resource Officer at Barlow High School, recognized for his work on the support for and work with the Four Cities Peer Court, a youth diversion program operating under the direction of the Multnomah County Juvenile in partnership with the Fairview, Troutdale and Gresham Police Departments, local service providers and area youth.
Metropolitan Family Service SUN Schools Manager Brooke Tuveson, recognized for her continued dedication to students and families through the implementation of the Back to School Fair and her work developing successful out of school time programs in Reynolds, Centennial and Gresham districts.
On November 5th, 2010, Attorney General John Kroger joined Bruce Goldberg, Director of the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon State Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson and many others. The Attorney General and other panel members presented information about efforts to develop a more cohesive statewide drug and alcohol treatment prevention and recovery system. Presentations were also made about GGAPP's Four Cities Peer Court, an example of how a community based program can intervene with teens to prevent future problems with substance abuse and other risky behaviors that get them involved in our criminal justice system. Over 200 East County residents attended this event.
Pictured: Left Photo: Brenda Allen of Multnomah County DA, John Kroger, Oregon State Attorney General, Oregon State Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, Lane Borg, Metro Public Defenders, Rudy Williams, Deputy Director, Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Bruce Goldberg, Director, Oregon Health Authority, John King, Oregon State A&D Policy Commission member, Ricardo Gonzales student Gresham High School, Professor Dennis McCarty, OHSU Dept. of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Click the image to enlarge it.
Pictured: Middle Photo: Bob Shoemaker, Peer Court Judge. Click the image to enlarge it.
Pictured: Right Photo: Ricardo Gonzalez, Peer Court Attorney. Click the image to enlarge it.
Click here to download an application form to join GGAPP's Youth Team. Click here for more information about the Team.
We want to hear from YOU! Please click below to complete a short, anonymous online survey about substance abuse issues in our community. We value your feedback.
Click here to take this short survey now. Click here for more information about this survey.
