The Governor’s Prevention Advisory Council on Drugs and Alcohol intent is to bring together state agencies and local leaders to provide a forum for underage drinking and alcohol abuse.
JoAnne Hoesel is the director of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for North Dakota Department of Human Services. She is also the council chair.
The council’s current initiative is Parent’s Lead, a website that offers resources and ways for parents to talk to their kids about alcohol abuse.
"Since drinking is very accepted in our state it can provide some challenges for parents to know how address. The intent and collaboration was to provide resources from those state agencies," Hoesel said.
The council meets quarterly.
"Our major goals have been to use the dollars that were appropriated through legislation in North Dakota to promote prevention programs in the state that are focusing on youth but also parents," Hoesel said. "We really acknowledge and want to underscore the importance parent's have in the lives of their children as children make decisions."
The council will be going over data about alcohol and other drug usage in the state. The data shows the state of affairs in North Dakota and the council will decide what direction to take next.
