PRIDE pg 7 3-25-10
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- Category: Past Issues
PUTNAM --- Romeo A. Blackmar, coordinator of the local Drug Free Communities Grant, P.R.I.D.E. (Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Everyone) in collaboration with the Putnam Police Department, Putnam Business Association and Community Prevention and Addiction Services (CPAS), said PRIDE will conduct a Free Family Fun Night March 25.
The fun night will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Putnam Elementary School cafeteria and Putnam Middle School auditorium, with a presentation concerning the “Consequences of Underage Drinking.” There will be activities for both parents and students, including a door prize of an iPod for one lucky student and a Price Chopper gift card for a lucky parent in attendance. The evening’s activities will start with a complementary dinner at 5 p.m.
In addition to various activities and games for children, there will be special guest speakers; starting at 6 p.m. Speakers include Mike Bogdanski of Midtown Fitness and Martial Arts and Scott Tetreault, a Connecticut parole officer.
Putnam is one of several hundred communities receiving Drug-Free Communities Grants, which are directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This program facilitates civic participation in local drug prevention efforts. Coalitions like PRIDE are comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals, law enforcement and media.
Throughout this week (March 22nd –March 28th) Putnam will join some 2,000 towns nationwide that have been provided with a stipend to conduct interactive meetings to inform and engage parents and children about the dangers of underage drinking. This effort is in keeping with Putnam’s goal of, “Working Towards a Safe and Friendly Drug-Free Community.” “The number one key to prevention is parents talking to their kids about the dangers of drugs.”
More information about the “Free Family Event” can be found at www.putnampride.org or by contacting Romeo A. Blackmar at 860-963-6905.