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The coalition participates and donates to many programs that help combat drug and alcohol abuse among youths in northern Macomb County.

Some of the programs the group participated in this year included the Tobacco Retailer Project, Court in the Schools, a discussion with experts about teen depression, a Macomb County Jail tour, a visit with Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel, three community education nights, a program with the sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team, a discussion with the chief drug prosecutor of Macomb County and more.

The group brings in speakers and experts to keep informed of what is going on throughout the county and state in terms of drug and alcohol abuse.

“We did a lot of stuff this year,” Judge Denis LeDuc said. “We are being asked to do more with less, so we are carrying some money over to next year.”

Apart from all the speakers and other programs in which it participated, the group distributed several mini-grants to activities such as all-night parties in the area.

The Tobacco Retailer Project was discussed as being successful this year. LeDuc said he felt the program would do better with more student involvement.

The group also discussed how it could get information the board discusses at its monthly meetings to students in the area.

Parent Zoe Wagner suggested having students who are sent to Saturday school as punishment for bad behavior attend one of the group’s monthly meetings instead.

Romeo Middle School Assistant Principal Roger Bennett disagreed.

“I want kids to be here who want to be here,” Bennett said. “I would rather have them associate this as a positive thing and not a negative thing.”

They group also discussed getting more parents to its meetings, especially those who may have allowed underage children to drink at their house.

“Coming to a meeting is not going to make a big difference to them,” said Gail Kowitz, a counselor at Armada High School, adding that today’s parents were raised differently when it comes to minors and alcohol. “It is their house; they think they should be able to give to their kids what they want.

“I don’t think you realize how much resistance you have,” she continued. “If you stand up, you are alone. It is a lonely position to take.”

The group said it particularly sees this reaction when a student gets taken out of athletics for breaking the law by drinking.

LeDuc said he can attest to that.

“I have been begged, pleaded, phone called, written to by all sorts of people one way or another connected with the athletic system. ŒGoing to ruin things for the team,’ going to do this, going to do that,” he said. “This is an extracurricular activity and I think sometimes sight is being lost of that.”

Community education nights were also discussed at length. The board will look to rotate the programs among three sites in Romeo, Armada and Richmond. Group members said they thought this would increase attendance and give everyone a chance to get pertinent information.

The group also decided last year’s alcohol abuse program will be used again this year near the end of the school year in time for graduation and prom. Members discussed what would be the most beneficial topics for students and parents for its other educational nights as well.

Topics involving drug abuse and the consequences of sexual relationships were brought up.

Discussion also arose about minors who have been drinking, and what parents and families should do in those situation, especially this summer.

“We don’t want them driving off,” said one parent.

“You have every right to call and make a report,” said LeDuc. “I would be very hesitant to let them get anywhere near a motor vehicle.”

LeDuc said parents who encounter a minor who appears to have been drinking should call the child’s parents and the authorities, and do their best not to let the minor near a motor vehicle.

The group will reconvene at the beginning of the next school year in September.