4/28/2015 MASHPEE CARES Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Joan Peters-Gilmartin spoke about a Sandwich Group CUDFRE, Communities United for a Drug Free Environment, the goal of CUDFRE is to empower and support local Project Purple school groups. They are examining a document from 1998 entitled "Standards of Substance Abuse, approved on April 28, 1998 by the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court in collaboration with the Massachusetts Trial Court. This group is looking at the problem as multifaceted, when we look at treatment there needs to be insurance coverage, access to care. They feel that the court system can take non violent offenders instead of jail put into treatment. Non violent offenders should be treated differently. They would like to do a public service campaign, she suggested that Project Purple kids can plant purple flags in Mashpee to bring awareness to the devastating effects of Substance Abuse, particularly opioid abuse. Joan stated that Cheryl Bartlett, new Executive director of Substance Abuse and Prevention and Public Health Initiative for Cape Cod has agreed to buy the flags and the Cape Cod Times has agreed to do a story. She suggests flags on the rotary the Friday before father's day,three rotaries, empower project purple students by planting the flags. Chris Santos suggested she attend the school committee meeting on May 6 to present this proposal, Mike R. said he would contact Mashpee N and asked Gail Wilson to let the Barnstable County Council know what we were doing, maybe be an example for the other towns. Joan Peters-Gilmartin also suggested the school have community projects, maybe make it a competition, and have a sign up the first week of school. Mr. GiiMartin asked if every town on the Cape could do something, how we reach every town. Joan also mentioned Portsmouth Rhode Island had a Project Purple week to encourage people of all ages to stand up against substance abuse and make good decisions in the coming year. Mike Richardson brought up that summer is a concerning time for kids, unstrutured time. What could the town do to create activities for kids. Gail Wilson brought up educating parents about what to look. for. Kathy Mahoney spoke about the library summer reading program. Bob Jensen from Calmer Choice spoke about the importance of mindfulness and this is being taught in the schools.The research on mindfulness has been shown to lower anxiety. He discussed "synaptic pruning." He feels possibly there can be a discussion similar to the eggs in the frying pan campaign, "this is your brain on drugs" about the detrimental effects on the brain, especially for growing children and teens. The discussion focused on the eventual need for a public policy change. Mike Richardson summarized the next steps:Project purple flag project; School project and Calmer Choice to continue in schools. NEXT MEETING:The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 5:00 pm, Mashpee Town Hall ADJOURNMENTAs there was no further business,Joyce Mason made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Chris Santos seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 pm. Respectfully submitted, Gail Wilson, Clerk