Linn students Ellie Monnette and Blaine Winslow told the Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) board last week that their recent trip to Washington, D.C., with Executive Director Lorie Winslow, was a great opportunity to learn more about  Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and how things work at nation’s capital.

“We went to a class on leadership and how to promote things in your community,” Monnette said of Key Essentials.

She added that next year, whoever goes will be able to see the next step in the process.

“We got to see all the awards we could potentially earn as a coalition,” Ellie said, noting that she and Blaine also had a chance to see the youth aspect of the program with about 200 other kids from around the country.

Indigenous people spoke about their coalition and how that has affected the fight against drugs and alcohol.

Lorie added that students from Native American reservations were there, and learning about the poverty and other struggles that lead to drug and alcohol use were eye-opening.

“The kids from everywhere were very well-spoken and it was a great experience,” Lorie added.

In addition to learning about CADCA on a national level, the girls had the opportunity to visit with Sen. Josh Hawley and Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer.

During their visit with Luetkemeyer, Ellie and Blaine gave him an update on how things are going at Linn R-2.

“He was unaware of all the vaping at school,” Ellie said. “He knew we had teen drinking issues but he wasn’t aware students are vaping in the bathrooms.”

The girls joined the Council for a Drug-Free Youth in a group discussion with Luetkemeyer.

“We just let him know what’s going on in Linn,” Blaine said.

“Yeah, so now, he’s aware of it,” Ellie added. “He said his focus is the youth as they are the ones with first-hand experience.”

The next day, during a tour of the capitol, Blaine and Ellie met with Hawley. Individuals at a group meeting told their stories of battles with addiction.

A talent show among coalition groups gave the girls an opportunity to see how others do things while also having fun, Ellie noted.

One potential approach to the vaping problem came from seeing how the coalition in Jefferson City handles it. 

“It’s called second chance,” Blaine said.

Ellie added that when caught the first time, the student and their family members are brought together to go through the negative side-effects that will impact not only the student but their family.

“That’s something we could potentially do here through OC-ADCAT,” Ellie said. 

Board member Megan Reichart asked how the second-chance part works. “Does it not go on their school record?”

“It’s more like opening the eyes of the parents to let them know what their kids are doing,” Ellie replied.

“Was there any kind of consequence for not attending?” Reichart asked.

“If they didn’t come with their parents, they had to a seminar in school,” Ellie said. “It’s ultimately up to the school to determine what happens.”

This program is an alternative to suspension for being caught vaping. It’s also an educational opportunity with a four-session cohort and students have to attend all four classes.

Lorie said the girls had a great time and they agreed it was a worthwhile venture for other students.

“We met a lot of people and learned things about other coalitions, not only in the state but around the nation,” Ellie said. “It opens your eyes to other’s problems.”

Blaine added that teen drinking and vaping were the top two problems coalitions are currently facing.

There were some younger students there, including an eighth-grader Ellie and Blaine befriended. “Ours was just trainees teaching us from a slideshow but the adult classes had people telling their stories,” Ellie said.

“Do you think the maturity level would be there for younger students to attend?” Reichart asked.

“I think so,” Blaine replied.

Lorie said the plan in March is to start a youth coalition to teach others about the program. “We are hoping to engage more youth in our coalition and will be starting our meetings soon,” she added. “We are excited about this opportunity for youth in Osage County.”

Ellie noted that during Key Essentials, she and Blaine learned about hotspots that create opportunities for drinking and vaping. “We’re fortunate here,” Ellie said. “For instance, in Florida, kids are taking boats out, doing drugs, and then coming back.”

Lorie plans to take more students next year but said she will need help from chaperones.