March 11, 2005

On March 29 at 5 p.m., the community is invited to attend the first-ever “Survivor Island” event for kids and parents. The purpose of the event is to show children that there are alternatives to drugs and alcohol and encourages our community youth to make wise, healthy choices for their lives.

A number of community volunteers make up the Boundary County Substance Abuse Coalition, chaired by Bunny Hodgson. Included in the coalition are citizens, school officials, law enforcement officers and the Boundary County Prosecuting Attorney. “We have a good mix of concerned people who care about the community and the direction of the kids. We are there to encourage them to make sound decisions for their sake and because they are the future of society,” said Bunny.

The main emphasis encourages youth to find new ways to say “NO” and feel good about their decision. According to the coalition, education and encouragement are the keys. Every life saved benefits our society for decades to come.

The coalition meets every month on the first Thursday at noon at the China Kitchen Restaurant in Bonners Ferry. Any concerned citizen is encouraged to attend the meeting.

Bunny said that coalition members are always on the lookout for fresh, new ideas and approaches. Prosecuting Attorney Jack Douglas echoed that thought by saying, “What Bunny and the other volunteers are doing is the noble work of trying to keep our children out of the criminal justice system and off drugs.”

Some of the events of “Survivor Island” include:

A “crash car” totaled in an alcohol-related crash.

Free gunlocks provided by the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.

“Drunk glasses” provided by the Bonners Ferry Police Department. Those glasses give the illusion of drunkenness to help people understand the effect of alcohol on the human body and mind.

A mobile clinic by the Boundary Regional Community Health Center, if it available. In any event, the Regional Health Center will be present.

A barbecue hosted by Jo Jo Baker.

And many, many more events.

In the fall, the coalition puts on a second drug-prevention night. The coalition is gathering ideas for that even now. Last year, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo attended Drug Prevention Night, spoke to those who attended giving them a chance to inter-act with a United States Senator face-to-face.

This year, Jo Jo Baker is hosting a barbecue during the event. “The main thing is we want to show the kids that the community cares about them. We certainly ask people to attend to show support for the local kids,” said Bunny.

There will be information from many different agencies interested in waging the war on drugs. The information booths will act as islands of knowledge.