November 19th, 2009 by Darrell Lum
A community forum on November 12, 2009 brought lawmakers, parents, educators, law enforcement and healthcare professionals together to discuss solutions to the dangerous trend of teens abusing medicine to get high.
The meeting, sponsored by Drug Use Is Life Abuse (DUILA), Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) was at the Capistrano Unified School District Office in San Juan Capistrano. The goal was to raise awareness about the problems of prescription drug and over-the-counter cough medicine abuse among teens.
Recent studies have spotlighted medicine abuse, including the abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, as an alarming trend among young people. When used correctly, these drugs are safe and effective. But when abused, these drugs can produce dangerous side effects, including death.
“Through collaborative efforts and united resources, CHPA and CADCA are helping us to educate our community about this dangerous trend,” said Marilyn MacDougall, Executive Director of DUILA. “From parents and educators to law enforcement officials, it is imperative that we come together to learn about medicine abuse so that we can raise awareness about its dangers among our teens.”
November 9th, 2009 by Darrell Lum
For Career Opportunities and Career Exploration Day, seventh and eighth graders from Aliso Viejo Middle School were treated by a visit from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Scott Yuen spoke about being a Sheriff Deputy and showed the students the Orange County Sheriff Department’s special hummer vehicle.
Picture courtesy of Melanie Aston.
September 29th, 2009 by Darrell Lum
Gil Kerlikowske, director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, dropped by Orange County to visit Drug Use Is Life Abuse’s IMPACT and Next Step students. The nation’s drug czar has kicked off a $9 million ad campaign targeting methamphetamine abuse that will run mainly in the states most affected by the drug problem. An open discusion of current drug trends among high school students as well as preventive measures were discussed. Expressing their concerns with the current economic situation and the drug crisis were Executive Director of Drug Use Is Life Abuse Marilyn MacDougall, Deputy Scott Yuen, and Deputy Gary Mitchell.
August 6th, 2009 by Darrell Lum
When Orange County Sheriff Reserves Justin and Thay head off to the carnival area of the Orange County Fair, they keep an eagle eye on any suspicious activity. They are there to help keep the Orange County Fair safe and enjoyable all attendees.
Reserve officers provide a wide variety of services to the community, volunteering their time to work alongside career law enforcement personnel.
The Reserve Division includes both sworn and non-sworn members. Sworn Reserve Deputies are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel. In most cases, Reserves are assigned to the same duties as regular deputies. Routine tasks such as patrol, booking, surveillance, investigative, and undercover work are just some examples of reserve duties.
For a video sample of their “beat” click here: Reserves
July 23rd, 2009 by Darrell Lum
Over 50 students from various Orange County high schools from Drug Use Is Life Abuse’s IMPACT and Next Step educational programs brought donations from families, friends and neighbors to “Fill the Truck.” The students helped make a local Human Options shelter house into a “home” by providing household goods. Victims of domestic violence– women with children – rely on this confidential location for safety, counseling, and support for 45 days after fleeing their abusive situation.
The event took place Tuesday, July 21 at Corona Del Mar Beach Fire Pits. DUILA’s deputies and staff provided food, refreshments and information on Drug Use Is Life Abuse’s upcoming projects while the students earned community service hours.
