To help strengthen prevention programs in the region, The Deschutes County Commission on Children & Families Department (CCF) seeks community input about substance abuse and problem gambling. To find out more, this week the Commission will randomly mail 600 surveys to households in Sisters.  The communities of La Pine, Bend and Redmond were surveyed last November. 

CCF is working with the Minnesota Institute of Public Health to conduct a Community Readiness Assessment to address alcohol, tobacco, drugs and problem gambling in the County. The assessment will help take the “prevention temperature” of selected communities and will measure their readiness to address substance abuse and problem gambling issues. The results of the survey will be shared with the public by July 2010.

The goals of the assessment are to use the survey data and information to:

1.  Strengthen prevention strategies in Deschutes County.
2.   Focus prevention efforts on the areas of greatest need.
3.   Raise awareness of community norms and attitudes toward alcohol, tobacco, other  

  drugs and gambling.

The Commission on Children & Families will contribute $1 to a local service organization for each survey that is filled out and returned. Survey participants may choose from the following organizations to receive their $1 contribution: Family Resource Center, Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Oregon, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon, the Cascade Youth and Family Center, and the Sisters TAPS (Think Again ParentS) coalition.

This project has been paid for by the State of Oregon, Addictions and Mental Health Division prevention funds awarded to Deschutes County.

For additional information about the Community Readiness Assessment, please contact Deschutes County Commission on Children & Families Prevention Coordinator Jessica Kelly at (541) 330-4632 or jessica_kelly@co.deschutes.or.us.