In 2001 a group of community members formed a group called the LCAT (La Pine Community Action Team) Prevention Committee. Early discussions focused on our concerns about youth, their drug and alcohol use. At that time, there were no services in South County for youth with drug and alcohol issues, and very little positive, pro-social activities for youth to participate in. We also needed to review what some of the root causes were for our youth using drugs and alcohol.

In 2002, the group attempted to apply for a Community Schools Grant in hopes of being able to provide more activities for youth in the community, and develop firm partnerships in the community. They also applied for grants to provide parent skills classes to families. The groups name was shortened to the South County Prevention Team.

The team plugged along for the next 5 years with the help of the Commission and Children and Families Prevention Team, looking at and developing strategies and action plans to address our concerns. While we knew what we knew about our youth and families in the community, we did not have any evidence based way of being sure we were headed in the right direction, or if what we thought were concerns really were. As we began to gather data, we were better prepared for the work ahead of us.

In 2007 the group changed their name to THINK AGAIN PARENTS (TAPS) of South County as they joined together with efforts made by two other prevention coalitions in the county located in Redmond and Sisters. All the teams felt it was critical to brand ourselves in our mutual efforts to get parents involved in the decisions that their youth were making. One of the things we learned early on was that parents have to be part of the solution because they play a much more important role in young people’s lives than they might realize. While the teams have the same brand, we all have our own community issues and different approaches in dealing with them.

At this time TAPS of South County is 9 years old and moving right along. Sometimes it is hard to believe we have come this far and accomplished what we have, but our work is not done yet. We know that as La Pine continues to grow and change, we will continue with our efforts to expand our partnerships and work in the community. We will continue to provide evidence based curriculum, provide alternative activities for youth, educate parents, inform the community through our media campaign and work on reducing youth’s access to alcohol.

We know underage substance abuse negatively impacts our youth and community and it also is a predictor of other risky behavior. We do not believe that is what our community or our families want for youth.

Come join us in our efforts. Come join us in our vision: Alcohol and drug-free minors in a positive, healthy community.

Lee Ann Forrester
TAPS CHAIR