Ramsey Resident - 1991 - October

Home

8 Alcohol Decisions Continued from page 7 students and they serve as excellent role models, showing that youth can choose to be drug free, happy and active." "I am proud that Anoka County supports a program like Alcohol Decisions," said Anoka County Commissioner Dennis D. Berg, Extension Committee member. "This program works, because it builds on the fact that preteens look up to and respect teenagers and really listen to what they have to say. With statistics telling us that nearly one in four 5th and 6th grader uses alcohol, we need programs that will break the chain of alcohol abuse early. Alcohol Decisions has found a way to do that." "The kids really enjoy this program," said Anoka County Commissioner Bob Burman, Extension Committee member. "Alcohol Decisions uses a variety of educational materials, including role playing, games, and videos. Plus, the program focuses on two critical aspects related to chemical use: self- esteem and decision making. Alcohol Decisions doesn't just give kids the facts, it gives them the skills to make informed, intelligent decisions down the road." With the start of the 1991-92 school year, Alcohol Decisions is gearing up for another busy season. Last year, the program reached 26 elementary schools in Anoka County. This year the program hopes to expand to all elementary schools in the County. The program will officially kick-off with the start of Drug Awareness Week, Nov. 11-15. To help attain its new goals, Alcohol Decisions will utilize some new training methods this year. Mini-videos produced by teen teachers will be incorporated into the grade school training sessions, and joint training among Anoka, Blaine and Coon Rapids students and school Drug Awareness counselors is being coordinated with Anoka County Extension 4-H staff. Alcohol Decisions is provided through the 4-H Youth Development Program in 40 Minnesota counties. Each participating county receives a selection of current printed and audio visual materials for use in local alcohol prevention educational programs. For more information on the program, contact Carol Skelly, Anoka County Extension Service, 755-1280. Recycling Rate Continues to Grow Across the County The City of Ramsey has accounted for over five percent of the total material recycled in Anoka County for the previous three and one-half years. During the first half of 1991, the percentage has grown to over six percent while the City is home to only 4.5 percent of the total county population. Listed in the graph below are the recycling tonnages that Anoka County and the City of Ramsey recorded from 1988 through the first six months of 1991. These figures show a 226 percent increase during that period. Anoka Cty. Ramsey 1988 Jan-June 2,189.34 67.00 1989 July-Dec. Jan-June July-Dec. 2,306.85 3,646.77 4,398.05 163.96 244.73 116.13 1990 Jan-June 5,362.24 189.22 1991 Total Jan-June 7,138.67 31,715.23 430.14 1,587.36 July-Dec. 6,673.31 376.18 The City of Ramsey has also seen an increase of over 542 percent for the same period of time. Shown below is a graph comparing the weight increases for each year comparing the City of Ramsey to Anoka County. The graph shows that Ramsey's growth in recycled materials has been a steady 57 percent per year. These growth trends would seem to be increasing for 1991 as the City, in the first six months, has recycled over 76 percent of the total material recycled for all of 1990 Recycled Weights 01 Ramsey as Compared to Anoka County T 14000 ___. ._u. __u_ .u__ .u__ ._u_ ..u_ _____ ..___ ..u__.__.u__. _u__ u._. .---- u___ ._u o n 12000 S 10000 R 8000 e c 6000 y e o V ~ i d 1990 1991 1988 1989 Reporting Year /' Ramsey Resident Ramsey Municipal Center 15153 Nowthen Blvd. NW Ramsey, MN 55303 CAR-RT -SRT BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 131 ANOKA, MN 55303 POSTAL CUSTOMER '\ I 1 , I ,