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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 04-09 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 APRIL 9, 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 7:47 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Lemke, Miller, Reichgott, Stacy and Mayleben. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioner Weyrauch would not be in attendance at this evening's meeting and was excused. She also noted that Commissioner iJohnson was absent from this evening's meeting and was unexcused. Chairperson Kuhar introduced the two new Commission members and noted that the appointments of C. Roger Stacy and George Mayleben had been confirmed by the City Council at the April 7, 1980 City Council meeting. Commissioner Stacy is serving out the remainder of Joyce Tolve's term which expires on December 31, 1982 and Commissioner Mayleben is filling a vacancy on the Commission which expires December 31, 1982. Is APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 3-12-80 There was a motion by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to approve the minutes of the March 12, 1980 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEM: DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM Chairperson Kuhar explained the background of the Commission's-involvement in development a drug awareness program. She noted the presence of several persons in the audience who were invited to this evening's meeting to discuss a potential drug awareness program. She introduced Mrs. Dorothy Clark, Mike Forsberg, Mike Thompson and Jerry Johnson to the Commission members. Chairperson Kuhar noted that the Commission is seeking a group of interested persons with whom the Commission can develop.contacts with for further development of a drug awareness program. Chairperson Kuhar recognized Mrs. Dorothy Clark who addressed the Commission and stated that she is a member of the Osseo Human Advisory Council and that she works with St. Vincent's Church. She stated she believes that parents are in special need of help in understanding the drug abuse problem with their children and stressed the importance of educating parents in this area. Com- missioner Reichgott asked Mrs. Calrk if she had any suggestions for working with parents in this area. Mrs. Clark replied that she is trying to organize a citizens group in Osseo which would include a group of persons interested in the drug abuse problem. Chairperson Kuhar recognized Mike Forsberg who addressed the Commission and stated that he is a full time youth minister at St. Alphonsus and had recently attended a chemical awareness education program at metropolitan State University. 4-9-80 -1- He indicated that he is becoming aware that the drug abuse problem is a major one among younger people. He also indicated that he has worked as an intern at Park Center High School. Chairperson Kuhar inquired whether there were any programs for parents offered at Park Center on drug awareness. Mr. Forsberg stated that Park Center had offered a four week session for parents concerned with the drug abuse problem and indicated that it attracted about thirty persons. Councilmember Lhotka questioned how parents were reacting to the problems of their children's involvement with drugs. Mr. Forsberg stated that the parents were very supportive of the Park Center drug awareness program. Commissioner Stacy inquired what kinds of results the program had attained. Mr. Michael Thompson who had also attended the Park Center program stated that the main thrust of the Park Center program was awareness and did not attempt to achieve any kind of results with regard to treatment. Mr. Forsberg explained that, after a treatment program many young people need continuing support to keep them from using again. Chairperson Kuhar questioned how-the Commission might involve parents in.a .drug awareness program. Mr. Forsberg explained that many adults really do not want to hear about the drug problem or admit that there is a problem with their children. Commissioner Stacy inquired whether Mr. Forsberg saw any correlation between the parents usage of drugs and their childrens usage. Mr. Jerry Johnson, representing'an Alateen group, stated that he views the abuse problem as a collapse of the family structure and that the drug abuse problem is a family problem. He indicated that he saw a problem with the Park Center program in that there was no follow-up after the initial program was offered. He noted it is especially difficult to make parents aware of the drug abuse problem. Mr. Johnson indicated that he is involved with an Alateen group which consists of the children of alcoholics. He explained that these children are also users of drugs and in need of support. He explained that there is a need for follow-up with the persons that went through the Park Center program. Mr. Johnson explained that he is in the process of developing a program for Alateens since they' are no longer part of the Al-Anon group. Commissioner Mayleben inquired what kind of facility Mr. Johnson was seeking for the Alateen group. Mr. Johnson explained that he was looking for a permanent site such as an old school building or some other location that could be used as a permanent meeting place for the Alateen group. Commissioner Reichgott questioned whether the Alateen program is a structured type program. Mr. Johnson stated that it would essentially be an AA program with a family orientation. Mr. Thompson explained that the concept of drug and alcohol abuse treatment has changed over the years and that it is now a family concept approach since the total family is affected by the alcoholic or drug abuser. Commissioner Reichgott questioned how the commission could support the Alateen group either in assisting them with funding or helping them with finding a location for their meetings. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he saw a problem with the Commission supporting any specific group on an ongoing basis. He indicated that the Commission could not really link itself to any specific group and explained that if one group is assisted then all other groups requesting assistance would have to-be treated similarly. Chairperson Kuhar posed the question of what barriers might be in existence to developing a drug awareness program. Mr. Forsberg stated some programs appear to be places where people can get rid of guilt feelings about their drug abuse but they often continue using drugs and in effect, they are using the program to vent their guilt feelings about their drug use. Councilmember 4-9-80 -2- Lhotka stated that he believes there is support in the community for developing a program and that it may take time but the Commission should continue estab- lishing community contacts and community support in the development of a program. Mr. Johnson stated that he would like to lend his support to the Commission's activities in the drug awareness area. Chairperson Kuhar requested that the persons in the audience at this evening's meeting give their phone numbers so that they may be contacted in the future as the Commission develops its program. Mr. Forsberg questioned whether. the Commission could support the concept of a drop-in center, Councilmember Lhotka stated that he sees a problem with the Commission supporting any specific group in that the Commission: is an official arm of the City of Brooklyn Center and that endorsing any specific group or program would not be an appropriate City function. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he does not see the Commission's role as endorsing any specific program but views the Commission's role as investigating various resources and programs that could offer solutions to the drug abuse problem. Commissioner Stacy suggested the possibility of having the Commission make persons aware of all the programs available on drug abuse prevention. and that perhaps a list of groups dealing with this problem could be published. Council- member Lhotka stated that the Commission is now gathering resoruces and infor- mation to make a decision. on a plan which the Commission can eventually take to the City Council. Commissioner Reichgott stated that she believes the Commission should begin working on a specific plan and program and would like to see the next Commission meeting as a working meeting. The Secretary recorded the following names and phone numbers as part of the meeting record: Jerry Johnson 571-9496; Michael Thompson - 566-6644; Dorothy Clark - 425-3652; Michael Forsberg - 425-8440 (home), 561-7678 (business); Dick Schoeven - 535-3406 (home), 375-2522 (business). Commission meeting.. It was the general consensus of the Commission that the A general discussion ensued regarding setting the meeting date for the next next Human Rights Commission meeting be held on Tuesday, May 13, 1980. RESIGNATION OF MICHAEL MILLER Chairperson Kuhar proceeded to read Commissioner Miller's letter of resignation from the Human Rights Commission. There was a motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by Commissioner Stacy to commend Commissioner Miller for this contribution to the Commission over the past three and one-half years. The motion was passed unanimously.. Commissioner Miller stated that he believes the Commission is a good one and that he thinks there are many issues the Human Rights Commission can help the Council and community with. He added that he will be available for assistance on a consulting basis to the Commission. He also added that, he believes the Commission should defer any action on the No Fault grievance program and advised the Commission against any involvement with the current No Fault grievance program as developed by the State Human Rights Department. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to adjourn the Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Chairman 4-9-80 -3-