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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 06-18 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JUNE 18, 1980 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Kuhar at 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Weyrauch, Lemke, Stacy and Mayleben. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioner Johnson was absent from this evening's meeting and was not excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 5-13-80 There was a motion by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Weyrauch to approve the minutes of the May 13, 1980 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. GUEST SPEAKER: ED WISHART, DIRECTOR OF TREATMENT PROGRAM AT ABBOTT-NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL Chairperson Kuhar introduced Mr. Wishart and stated that she and the Commission appreciated Mr. Wishart's offerer to speak at this evening's meeting. Mr. Wishart stated that Abbott-Northwestern's treatment program began in 1970 by treating alcoholics in.an in-patient program. He noted that the program began with an Alcoholics Anonymous approach and has expanded since then. He reviewed the hospital's current array of programs including a family program which involves the family of chemically dependent individuals including friends. Other programs he reviewed involved special needs groups such as the disabled and the elderly. He also indicated that all patients are funneled into an after care program and support groups such as are provided by AA and Al-Anon. He added that Abbott-Northwestern is also involved in therapy groups and in conducting employer's seminars. Commissioner Weyrauch reviewed the origin of the Commission's involvement with its drug awareness program and noted that the Commission's involvement originated with an inquiry by the Brooklyn Center School District regarding how parents could be made aware of the drug problem. Mr. Wishart stated that he would offer Abbott's services free of charge to two or three families in Brooklyn Center and stressed the fact that if parents are not involved with a drug abuse problem the denial of the problem often spreads through the entire family. Counc:lmember Lhotka asked Mr. Wishart what type of program he thought would attract parents. Mr. Wishart stated that he would recommend a basic program which is nonthreatening and one which emphasizes that the drug problem is not a moral issue. He stated that it must be pointed out that chemicals are a fact of life in today's society and cannot be denied. He stated that Abbott-Northwestern's unit would be happy to address a parents group. Mr. Wishart point out that, in his opinion, Abbott's clients have lost their 6-18-80 -1- commitments such as those which are provided by a family, job, relationships, etc. He stated that this is typical of society as a whole today. Chairperson Kuhar stated that the Commission would not be able to promote any specific program. Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that the Com- mission could not endorse a specific program but they could make use of various informational resources such as Abbott-Northwestern. Mr. Wishart stated that Abbott-Northwestern's counselors would be able to come out and speak to groups in Brooklyn Center and that Dr. George Mann from St. Mary's Hospital is also available to speak to groups. Chairperson Kuhar questioned whether drug awareness is a narrow enough topic to build a program on. Mr. Wishart stated that chemicals were originally used by persons to change feelings, thus clients must be taught to'deal with feelings without the "call to get high" to change feelings. He pointed out that chemical use generally destroys relationships and noted that other problems often emerge in chemical dependency counseling including marriage problems, health problems, and other psychological problems. He stated that these additional issues cannot be ignored in any program of drug awareness: He pointed out that the main task is to put relationships back together with the aid of the family. Commissioner Stacy questioned how the Commission might get people to attend an initial program. Mr. Wishart stated that perhaps working through the local P.T.A. might be a good starting point. Commissioner -Stacy questioned how the Commission could reach persons who deny they have a problem. Mr. Wishart pointed out that sometimes it takes a crisis to trigger people's awareness. He stated that he found it hard to believe that parents in Brooklyn Center are not aware of the drug abuse problem. Chairperson Kuhar stated that, with the information she has obtained, the magnitude of the problem indicates that perhaps people are not receiving the proper informa- tion. Mrs. Dorothy Clark, a member of the Osseo Human Advisory Council, stated that in her experience in this area she has discovered that many parents are not aware of their children's problems with regard to drug abuse. Mr. Wishart stated it appears that the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission is struggling with the proposition that parents are unaware of or are denying the drug abuse problem. He pointed out that early recognition of the drug abuse problem is important in solving it. Commissioner Stacy stated that there appears to be two distinct areas with regard to drug abuse, one being treatment, and the other being prevention. He stated that prevention appears to be closely associated with parenting. Mr. Wishart stated that the chemical dependency problem has more facets than chemicals and stated that it goes to the heart of human relationships, value systems, commitments and families., Commissioner Reichgott arrived at 8:55 p.m. Commissioner Weyrauch stated that he was very appreciative of Mr. Wishart's appearance at this evening's meeting and that he has provided the Commission with a great deal of information. Chairperson Kuhar also thanked Mr. Wishart for speaking at this evening's meeting and noted that it was a very valuable experience for Commission members. 6-18-80 -2- Chairperson Kuhar opened up the meeting for discussion by Commission members regarding what direction the Commission should take with regard to the drug awareness program. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he would like to hear After discussion of the next Human Rights Commission meeting which was set for July 9, 1980, it was decided that the Detached Worker from the YMCA,, Doug Mitchell, should be invited to speak at the next meeting. various speakers and to view various films on the topic and stated that he believed the Commission should be putting together some type of resource list that would be available to persons interested in obtaining help and infor- mation with regard to the drug abuse problem. Commissioner Stacy stated that he would coordinate the list of resources and that individual Commission members could submit their lists to him. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Kuhar read Commissioner Weyrauch's letter of resignation to Commission members. Commissioner Weyrauch stated that he feels the Commission now has some excellent people serving on it and that he believes the Commission is needed more today than ever before. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he would like to thank Commissioner Weyrauch personally for his service to the Commission and that he has particularly enjoyed Al's open relationship both with himself and the Commission. Chairperson Kuhar also thanked Commissioner Weyrauch for his service and leadership which he gave to the Commission and stated that his contribution to the Commission would be missed.' In closing, Commissioner Weyrauch stated that he believes the Commission can make some worthwhile contributions to the City and he recommended that-the Commission concentrate on projects that are related to handicapped issues. Commissioner Lemke pointed out that 1981 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of the Disabled Person and that she is working on the Governor's Council on the Handicapped and noted that the Govorner is anxious.to know if there is anything he can do to work with local Commissions. Chairperson Kuhar noted that the Commission has considered in the past joining the League of Human Rights Commissions and she opened up the meeting for a discussion of the possibility of joining the League. Commissioner Weyrauch stated that, in his experience over the past several years with the League of Human Rights Commissions, he felt it was closely associated with the State Department of Human Rights and he would recommend against joining it. He explained that he believed it was primarily a lobby group and often promoted the interests of the State Department of Human Rights. There was a motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to oppose joining the League of Human. Rights Commissions. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded by Commissioner Mayleben to adjourn the Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. • Chairman 6-18-80 -3-