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I <br />'1 <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> ! <br /> ! <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> i <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> <br />Page 12 <br /> <br /> Minnesota has several resources available to assist communities in <br />developing alternative penalties for minors. Most public school systems have <br />a chemical health coordinator that provides student referrals, education, and <br />in some cases, counseling concerning alcohol, tobacco and other substance <br />abuse issues. The Minnesota Prevention Resource Center is the statewide <br />clearinghouse for alcohol, tobacco and Other drug abuse information. It- <br />provides communify prevention tools including materials, videos, speakers, <br />and newsletters. (For other organizations, see Resources section.) <br /> <br /> Another option is Change Direction, a statewide drug awareness <br />education program used by the courts for first-time offenders, both youth and <br />adults, who violate alcohol, tobacco or other drug possession/consumption <br />laws. The objective is to provide participants with a greater understanding of <br />the risks associated with their own use and the knowledge to enable them to <br />reduce or eliminate those risks. The Minnesota Institute of Public Health has <br />maintained Change Direction for over 22 years, processing nearly 35,000 <br />violators in Minnesota. Programs are conducted at 29 locations in the state <br />throughout the year, with an increasing number of tobacco referrals. For more <br />information, contact the Minnesota Institute of Public Health at (612) 427-5310. <br /> <br /> 1997 Session Laws Chapter 227 'also amends other assorted state statutes <br />(see Minn. Stat. (se~t)171.71 and (sect)260.195). These additional amendments <br />authorize the suspension of a minor's driver's license or delay the minor's <br />eligibility to receive a driver's license if the minor is convicted of using a <br />driver's license, permit, or state identification card'Jo 'try to illegally obtain <br />tobacco or alcohol. <br /> <br /> Because the susper~ion can only be ordered by the courts and imposed <br />by the commissioner of public safety after a formal judicial hearing and <br />conviction under Minn. Stat. (sect)609.685, this provision of the licensing law <br />is not likely to impact local licensing ordinances. The potential to have a <br />driver's license suspended or delayed,, however, could play a role in <br /> <br />143 <br /> <br /> <br />