MOUNT CARROLL — Have you ever wondered what you can do in your community to make a difference?

Carol Geary, Carroll County Substance Education Coalition director, said the organization is looking for anyone interested in helping them prevent youth substance use, and that there are many ways to get involved.

“We meet at 12 noon on the second Thursday of the month at the CCSEC office in downtown Mount Carroll, and we are currently seeking parents or anyone interested in working on a specialized committee for marijuana and underage drinking problems in our county,” Geary said.

Since 2004, the Carroll County Substance Education Coalition, CCSEC, has been working together as a group of concerned citizens to gain insight into local substance use problems impacting youth and adults in Carroll County.

“We know through local research that Carroll County teens have easy access to substances,” Geary said.

She said Carroll County teens report “easy access” to these substances at parties and from adults who readily supply drugs to teens.

“Most of our rates are higher than the state rates, and the teens also report that there is a ‘minimal risk’ of getting caught by parents or law enforcement,” Geary said.

She said substance use by teens is always risky, but new research shows that the teen brain can be significantly impacted by alcohol and drug use.

“We know that we have a big problem with high rates of substance use in our Carroll County, and we know what needs to be done to address this. We spend a lot of money trying to put out the fires of addiction and almost nothing on preventing it in the first place,” said Geary.

“Our youth are our future, and their future depends on many things, including staying away from drugs and alcohol. I have always believed if we know better, we do better. Well, the evidence is out and we now know what the impact of youth substance use is.”

In 2014, the Coalition was awarded the Drug Free Communities Grant for five years, allowing CCSEC the opportunity to address local youth substance use problems.

“But we need your help to be successful and hopefully get another five years of funding,” Geary said.

Other efforts by CCSEC include conducting the Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training, or BASSET, in Carroll County. The first session was held in March.

“The Carroll County Substance Education Coalition will be providing ongoing trainings four times a year to support our local businesses and their employees and to help keep our community and our businesses safe from over-serving of alcohol and reduce sales of alcohol to minors in our county,” Geary said.

In February, four Carroll County Students Against Destructive Decisions members attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America National Leadership conference in Washington, D.C.

The students were accompanied by Geary, Freddie Preston, CCSEC and assistant SADD sponsor at West Carroll High School, and two CCSEC board members. The conference helps build the skills of youth leaders in coalitions to take on youth-led civic change using a team-teaching approach.

“All Carroll County junior and senior high schools have SADD chapters in conjunction with CCSEC, which receives funding through the Drug Free Communities grant,” said Preston. “Community leaders and parents are encouraged to participate with CCSEC.”

Contact Carol Geary CCSEC Director at 815-244-0063 or email ccsec04@gmail.com for more information.