Page anti-drug task force finalizes plans for Block Watch events

The Page Anti-drug Alliance Task Force met June 13 to discuss its efforts in the area of alcohol and narcotics prevention.

The main issue on the agenda was the Block Watch events the group has been planning to conduct in several neighborhoods throughout the community.

A list of tentative dates and locations was handed out showing when and where they plan to hold them as well as the name of the member responsible for hosting and overseeing the event.

The group voted to approve the purchase of a popcorn machine to use at these Block Watches and other events in an attempt to cut down on the cost of renting one each time it was needed. The group intends to have the popcorn served in containers with facts and information regarding drug abuse printed on them.

The Page Police Department’s mobile command unit will be on hand at these events to supply power and allow members of each neighborhood a closer look at some of the equipment the department uses.

A few items of support material were also introduced at the meeting, such as sports-themed stress balls and lip balm with the Page Anti-drug Alliance logo on them.

In addition, a new pamphlet that will be used by the police and the alliance was introduced. The pamphlet contained information regarding drug and alcohol abuse, highlighting marijuana, alcohol and prescription drugs as the most regularly abused substances, along with information on the Block Watch initiative and how it works.

The pamphlets, designed by local youth who did the graphic design in an art class, will be distributed at Block Watch events.

With the warning, “All suspicious persons and activities are immediately reported to our police department,” on the front there is no mistaking the level of resolve the alliance has for drug prevention in the Page area.

Also at the meeting, group members discussed the benefits of the reopening of the detox center, and how it is expected to be much more cost-effective than housing serial inebriates at the jail. The facility is expected to be open in August and will provide the police with some relief concerning the alcohol abuse issue that continues to plague the community.

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