Williston Kicks Off "Life Fest"

Project Characteristics Program Areas Alternative activities to drug and alcohol use Innovative approach Safe Communities Youth Programs Targeted Audience Jurisdiction College & High School Community

Goals

• Provide awareness of the effects of drugs and alcohol
• Provide the Youth with information on alternative activities to ATOD use

Strategies

In an effort to provide youth with an answer to their age-old statement that they drink because there is nothing else to do! Region I Safe Communities Coalition and Williston State College, Prevention program invited area high schools and bused the students to the college. The students were given tours of the college and lunch, and participated in the event as well. They kicked off the event with a live radio remote in the college cafeteria and a local 66-cent breakfast (named that because our radio station call letters are 660. Local residents were given the opportunity to purchase breakfast for 66 cents. Generally, someone will go through the line and purchase 10 - 20 breakfasts for the next 10 college students to go through the line. We also put people on the radio live to speak to the ATOD problems and solutions in our area. Booths were set up in the gym to demonstrate to the students that there are many alternative activities available to them. Some of the booths that were available to them are as follows: Tobacco second hand smoke tester, Fatal Vision Goggles, Prevention table, Fly fishing, Hiking, Camping, Reading, Yoga, Bowling, Hunting, Drug Task Force, Family planning, Highway Patrol Drunk Driving, Rock Climbing wall, Cross Country Skiing, Backpacking, Ice Fishing, Mountain biking, Snow Shoeing, Board games such as chess, backgammon, Woodworking, Ceramics, Painting.

Results

• Positive feedback from participants
• Fewer DUI's and MIP's
• An instrumental tool in reducing drunk driving and minor's in possession