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Promote acceptance of healthy behavior

The story headlined “Dangerously Drunk” (Herald, July 6) alerted our community to the negative impact that social acceptance can have. It is the slowly accepted changes we are least aware of that can surprise us with what we least want: La Plata County is above the state average for binge drinking and drunken-driving rates.

San Juan Basin Health’s Celebrating Healthy Communities Coalition has focused since 2008 on promoting developmental assets in our community that help young people become caring, healthy and productive and avoid risky behaviors. We use this strategy to educate youths and families on the impact of alcohol and drug use. We encourage positive social norms in order to build a resilient community. The data from last week’s paper suggest our efforts need even more emphasis.

SJBH’s Celebrating Healthy Communities Coalition has designed some strategies to increase positive social norms around alcohol. One is the Designated Driver Campaign, in which 30 downtown restaurants and bars participate. Whether at a festival, bar or restaurant, the first step is to have a patron self-identify as the designated driver. Supporting behavior comes from the bartender or server offering a wristband and a free nonalcoholic drink to the designated driver. The result: A designated driver is an “ultimate friend” or everyday hero who is making sure family and friends are safe from harm.

Another goal of the campaign is to provide our youths with positive adult role models who demonstrate responsible behavior. Why not join the effort to balance our current norms of dangerous drinking and promote the norms that make sure our community stays healthy and safe?

For more information or to nominate a family friendly, alcohol-free event for a coalition-sponsored Healthy Event award, contact San Juan Basin Health at 247-5702. San Juan Basin Health Department serves La Plata and Archuleta counties.

Pat Senecal

Durango



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