In light of recent tragedies, Portage Schools remains committed to a safe learning environment for all of our students and faculty/staff. We work hard to ensure that there are no drugs or alcohol in our schools, and that young people are not attending school under the influence while they are in our care.

The District and the City of Portage are partnering with Prevention Works and the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force to address additional ways the community can approach young adult alcohol and drug abuse. The Kalamazoo Community Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services is also a part of this countywide effort in preventing and treating youth substance abuse.

Next Steps

- Professional development with PPS faculty and staff presented by Prevention Works and CMHSAS.
- New prevention curriculum investigated with Prevention Works at 5th grade and in Freshman Focus/Health classes.
- Professional development with counseling staff more specific to working with students and families.
- Work with Task Force to see services like a Help Line created for anonymous calls and/or outreach (pilot program currently in place managed by the Elizabeth Upjohn Healing Center).
- Work to reduce access to alcohol and other substances.
- Parent information sessions to be planned for this school year, rotating among middle schools, to prepare parents on substance abuse issues with teens.

Background

In recent years, the District has instituted a number of reforms to address substance abuse including:

- Routine (unannounced) canine visits at the high schools and middle schools.

- Training for faculty and staff in identifying substance abuse in students.

- “Challenge Days” at the high schools, which have an anti-bullying focus.

- Parent information meetings.

- Changes to the Code of Student Conduct incorporating treatment options into discipline consequences.

Also, our high schools have full-time police liaison officers and hall supervisors (five for each high school). Planning for creating safer schools for the 2008-09 year include the following:

- Work with the Task Force to establish a link for parents on substance abuse and risky behaviors.

- Assess the purchase of alcohol detection wands, drug detection wipes, and continued or increased use of canines.

- Consider a variety of assembly speakers who can speak to established anti-substance abuse curriculum and Challenge Day activities.

- Continue developing relationships with community organizations.

- Continue excellent relations with Portage Police Department and the County Prosecutor's Office.

The community held a “Call to Action” meeting on September 22 at Portage City Hall Council Chambers, providing an update from a variety of officials on the status of community efforts and an opportunity for citizens to join several work teams. Following the meeting, those attending had the opportunity to sign up for various task force committees to address this issue. See the presentation from that evening:
http://www.portagemi.com/cms/media/files/substance%20abuse%20portage%20call%20to%20action.pdf

Previously, community forums were held in July at Portage Schools and City Hall to identify the problems, followed up by an August meeting at City Hall identifying community solutions.

Our District focus is on both physical and social safety. Watch this space for links that will provide further background information. Meanwhile, we welcome anyone in the community who has ideas about how we can combat substance abuse together to contact Community Relations Manager Tom Vance at 323-5167 or by e-mail at tvance@portageps.org or by signing up for a Task Force Committee.