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About STOP
What is STOP?
The Johnson County STOP Underage Drinking Project (STOP)
is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization comprised of concerned professionals
volunteering their time to focus on a very important issue; eliminating the
incidence of underage drinking and related
tragedies.
STOP
has been
in existence since 1998. Over the years, members have been active in
presenting underage drinking prevention programs to youth, parents and adults in
our community.
Some current projects include: planning 2005 graduation
activities, presenting the multi-media “Wrong
of Passage” and “Choices” programs, developing safe summer alternatives,
local youth summit on underage drinking prevention, and
supporting recent legislative issues regarding underage drinking
prevention.
Some recent projects include:
· 2004
prom/graduation activities;
· presenting
the multi-media “Wrong of Passage” and “Choices” programs;
· developing
safe summer alternatives;
· supporting
recent legislative issues regarding
underage drinking prevention;
issuing multiple $1000 college scholarships to area youth.
A Wrong of Passage
“A
Wrong of Passage” is a 26-minute video geared toward parents and adults.
It was videotaped in Johnson County,
Kansas and is presented as part of an
interactive multi-media presentation,
followed by a panel discussion. Suggested minimum presentation time is 50
minutes
Wrong of
Passage Article
Judge
Karen Arnold-Burger Presiding Judge Overland Park, Kansas
Choices
“Choices”
is a 19 minute video geared
toward teens.
It is presented in the same format as “A Wrong of Passage,” with
slides and question-and-answer session for the younger audience.
Minimum
suggested
presentation time is 50
minutes.
The
average age of first use of
alcohol in Johnson County
is 13.03 years.
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What
are we doing?
Goals
and activities of STOP
include:
Goals:
1. To
provide Johnson County with education regarding underage drinking and related
tragedies;
2. To
provide alternative activities to the youth of Johnson County;
3. To
increase youth and adult membership/involvement in the Johnson County STOP
Underage Drinking Project.
Activities:
1. Continue
to provide the multi-media “Wrong of
Passage” and “Choices” programs, conduct community presentations regarding
underage drinking and STOP;
2. Provide
a minimum of four drug-free alternative
activities such as Prom Essay contest, Back-to-School events, etc.;
3. Recruit
10 new youth and 10 new adults to become involved with STOP.
STOP
actively seeks additional funding for youth scholarships, program
enhancement, marketing and activities. In
addition, STOP
also supports and assists law enforcement (compliance checks, Cops in Shops,
Sticker Shock) as needed.
Alcohol
is the leading cause
of death for youth
ages 16-24.
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How
can you help?
STOP
is
looking for people ...
Youth,
parents, teachers, professionals,
concerned individuals, anyone interested in making
a difference
is encouraged to jump on board and become a part of STOP.
There are no membership requirements or dues, just the desire and
willingness to make a positive impact on the issue of underage drinking and
related tragedies.
STOP
meets on the second Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at the Jack Sanders
Justice Center located at 12400 Foster in Overland Park, Kansas. Meetings
usually consist of updates on the strategic plan, upcoming events, activity
planning and roundtable sharing. Anyone interested is more than welcome to
attend meetings.
STOP
also accepts donations and financial
contributions to assist with program activities.
“Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed,
it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
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