Youth Services Systems Inc. (YSS) is the acting fiscal agent for $8,000 in funding from the Purdue Pharma Asset Forfeiture funds awarded to the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC). These funds come from a federal OxyContin lawsuit, under the WV Division of Criminal Justice Services (WVDCJS). According to Governor Joe Manchin, these funds will be utilized for efforts towards a Drug Free West Virginia. The governor states that “participation in this project is a positive step toward achieving that goal.”
Locally, the grant is to be used in compliance checks, which monitor local alcohol retailers to ensure they are checking IDs and are not selling alcohol to those under 21. Wheeling PD has already been facilitating compliance checks at least once a month under the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) grant. However, this new grant award will allow the Police Department to collaborate with the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC), funded by a Federal SPF-SIG Grant, thereby doubling the number of compliance checks per month on a consistent basis in Ohio County.
John Moses, Executive Director of Youth Services Systems, stated “Youth Services System's success in reaching youth in meaningful ways has been with the support and collaboration of many organizations and interested citizens. When government, social services agencies, educators and businesses join in partnership very good things happen for youth in our communities. Law enforcement and the juvenile justice system have been long time partners with YSS and we look forward to yet another successful venture.”
The main players in compliance checks will be the Wheeling Police Department with Sgt. Duwane Taylor as EUDL Coordinator, OCSAPC, and interested youth. A small portion of the funds are also earmarked for Youth in Action activities like the recent “Sticker Shock” events in which We Are The Future youth placed approximately 4,000 stickers on alcohol products in 5 area businesses so far.
The Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition will monitor compliance rates each month with the aim of increasing the rate of compliance to the state drinking laws by area businesses. As a result, we hope to publish the names of businesses that are in compliance with the laws as a way to positively reinforce thoughtful and caring businesses that are willing to make public safety a priority. We want to promote any positive proactive steps being taken in our community. On the flip side, citations are given when the businesses are not in compliance and the clerks who do sell to minors will be personally responsible for any citations and fines given as the law requires.
Locally, the grant is to be used in compliance checks, which monitor local alcohol retailers to ensure they are checking IDs and are not selling alcohol to those under 21. Wheeling PD has already been facilitating compliance checks at least once a month under the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) grant. However, this new grant award will allow the Police Department to collaborate with the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC), funded by a Federal SPF-SIG Grant, thereby doubling the number of compliance checks per month on a consistent basis in Ohio County.
John Moses, Executive Director of Youth Services Systems, stated “Youth Services System's success in reaching youth in meaningful ways has been with the support and collaboration of many organizations and interested citizens. When government, social services agencies, educators and businesses join in partnership very good things happen for youth in our communities. Law enforcement and the juvenile justice system have been long time partners with YSS and we look forward to yet another successful venture.”
The main players in compliance checks will be the Wheeling Police Department with Sgt. Duwane Taylor as EUDL Coordinator, OCSAPC, and interested youth. A small portion of the funds are also earmarked for Youth in Action activities like the recent “Sticker Shock” events in which We Are The Future youth placed approximately 4,000 stickers on alcohol products in 5 area businesses so far.
The Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition will monitor compliance rates each month with the aim of increasing the rate of compliance to the state drinking laws by area businesses. As a result, we hope to publish the names of businesses that are in compliance with the laws as a way to positively reinforce thoughtful and caring businesses that are willing to make public safety a priority. We want to promote any positive proactive steps being taken in our community. On the flip side, citations are given when the businesses are not in compliance and the clerks who do sell to minors will be personally responsible for any citations and fines given as the law requires.
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