Substance Use Disorder Prevention

Free* Lock It Up Medication Bag

Call 616-393-5734 to pick up your free Lock It Up medication bag. Or visit 12251 James Street, Suite 400 anytime Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm.

TiPS

Ottawa County offers a free alcohol service training called TiPS (Training for Intervention Procedures). TiPS is nationally recognized and suggested by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The training prepares retailers and servers to minimize the legal and safety risks associated with alcohol misuse that pose a threat to our community. The course provides information, skills training and practices customized to each establishment. All TiPS services are free and certification is valid for three years. Contact Tim Findlay, Health Educator, at (616)393-5776 or tfindlay@miottawa.org.

TiPS Logo

TiPS Flyer

Reducing Ottawa Area Drunk Driving (ROADD) Coalition

ROADD is a community coalition (a part of the OSAP Coalition), which seeks to reduce underage drinking and alcohol involved crashes in Ottawa County by reducing underage access to alcohol, increasing the perception of the consequences of drunk driving and encouraging responsible beverage service practices. For more information, contact Tim Findlay, Health Educator, at (616)393-5776 or tfindlay@miottawa.org.

Cannabis Reduction And preVention Education (CRAVE)

Cannabis Reduction And preVention Education (CRAVE) is a community subcommittee (a part of the OSAP Coalition), which seeks to reduce Marijuana Abuse among youth and adults in Ottawa County by reducing underage access to marijuana, increasing the perception of the consequences of marijuana use and encouraging responsible marijuana retailer practices. For more information visit arborcircle.org/OSAP or contact Allison Selner, Health Educator, at (616) 393-5734.

Alcohol-Related Legal Consequences for Minors in Ottawa County

Alcohol-related offenses cause serious consequences for minors as described below:

Minor in Possession (MIP)

Possess, consume, purchase or have any bodily alcohol content

First Offense: Misdemeanor
$100 fine
Community service
Substance abuse treatment services

Furnishing to a Minor

First offense: Misdemeanor
$1,000 fine, 60 days in jail
Community service

If resulting in death,

Felony, 10 years in prison and $5,000 fine

Social Host Law

To knowingly allow possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage or controlled substance by an underage person.

Social gathering is defined as an assembly of two or more individuals for any purpose, unless all of the individuals attending the assembly are members of the same household or immediate family.

First Offense: Misdemeanor
$1,000 fine, 30 days in jail

Fraudulent ID to purchase alcohol

First Offense: Misdemeanor
$100 fine, 93 days in jail

OWI (Operating While Intoxicated)

First Offense: Misdemeanor
$500 fine, 93 days in jail
360 hours community service
Driver’s license suspension
Six points added to driving record
Driver Responsibility Fee: $1,000 for 2 years

Zero Tolerance Law

Under the age of 21 and operating with any Bodily Alcohol Content (BAC), means having a BAC of 0.02 to 0.07 or any presence of alcohol in your body other than alcohol that is consumed at a generally recognized religious ceremony.

Impact on the Future

Having an alcohol fine or conviction could affect acceptance to competitive programs and future job offers in fields such as medicine, health, engineering, veterinary medicine, education, law and the military. Involvement in school activities, college admission, financial aid and scholarships could also be affected.
For more information about Michigan law, visit www.legislature.mi.gov.

mobile eyes

Mobile Eyes – Call 911 on Drunk Drivers

Call 911 when:

someone is drinking while driving.
a car is swerving or violating traffic signals.
someone is visibly intoxicated; walking to their car to drive.

What to do next:

explain the reason for the call.
give a vehicle description and the license plate number.
give a location (e.g. North on US 31).

Medication Disposal

Prevent drug misuse and abuse. Free disposal of unwanted or expired prescription drugs and over the counter medications are accepted at participating locations. Please remove pills from bottles and place in a sealable plastic bag. Liquids or gels may be kept in original packages with the labels blackened or removed.

Click here for more information about the GR Red Project’s Clean Works Program – syringe access/needle exchange program.

Disposal Locations

Talk Sooner Campaign

Prime for Life (PFL)

Prime for Life (PFL) is a motivational evidence-based program that is informative and doable. PFL is a class available for youth who may be making high risk drug or alcohol choices. PFL shifts a student's attitude and risk perception in a comprehensible format. PFL provides research-based information that teaches students how to apply this material in their own lives. PFL also creates a unique self-assessment opportunity to enhance awareness of student's values and what they might be risking with these high-risk behaviors.

Youth Substance Abuse Prevention

Ottawa County Youth are using more than just alcohol at the age of 14. Find out how to talk to your kids about drugs and help prevent youth substance abuse.

The Talk Sooner campaign now has an app for iPhone and Android! This app will give you tips and tricks for how to talk to your kids about not using alcohol and other drugs.

TalkSooner.org

Related Websites

For Parents

Alcohol Rehab Guide - Provides information to alcohol addiction programs and confidential help.
Mayo Clinic: What are the effects of the use of marijuana during pregnancy?
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. - Provides straightforward information about how to address alcohol issues with your children.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism - Provides information, publications and news. Did you know 1 in 4 children will grow up in a home where someone drinks too much? (Also available in Spanish)
National Institute on Drug Abuse - Provides the "Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction".
The Partnership at Drugfree.org - A nonprofit organization dedicated to solving the problem of teen substance abuse. Their website allows parents to connect with each other, tap into expert advice and find support in their role as heroes to their kids.

For Teens

Above The Influence - Being above the influence is a state of mind. It's about being yourself and not getting pressured into drinking, doing drugs or doing anything that goes against who you are in order to fit in.

For More Information

Tim Findlay
tfindlay@miottawa.org
Health Educator
(616) 393-5776