Community Corner
M.A.D.E. Hosts World Cafe
Conversation At Madison Surf Club Will Aim To Stem Teen Alcohol And Drug Use - All Are Welcome
By Marcy Beatty
Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition (M.A.D.E) will host Community Conversations: World Café, Wednesday, March 2 at the Surf Club beginning at 6:30 p.m.
What is a World Café? It is an innovative way to get people talking about issues that matter in the community – kind of like speed dating. Participants in a World Café sit at tables and respond to questions posed by a moderator. In this case, the questions concern teen substance use and how we can work together to make Madison a healthier place for teens to grow up. Participants talk and may jot down additional thoughts on paper tablecloths. After 15 minutes, the groups will mix and begin again. This is the third such discussion hosted by M.A.D.E.
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The World Café is the first of many events, including workshops, a book discussion, and a film screening that will take place in the coming weeks sponsored by M.A.D.E. in recognition of national Alcohol Awareness Month (April).
“Like most other communities, there have been a number of drug- and alcohol-related tragedies in Madison in the past couple of years,” said Laurie Ruderfer, M.A.D.E. spokesperson. “We are trying to start a conversation about what we can do to prevent these tragedies from happening again. The Nancy Reagan ‘Just Say No to Drugs’ approach didn’t work; the D.A.R.E. program didn’t work. Research shows that by talking openly about these issues and addressing positive youth development as individuals, as families and as a community, we can make a difference in reducing, if not stopping, teen drug and alcohol use and abuse.”
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Madison is one of 18 communities in Connecticut that has a federally-funded alcohol and drug coalition. National data shows that communities with coalitions such as M.A.D.E. have a measureable decline in drug and alcohol use among teens who live there. M.A.D.E.’s aim is to work with parents, school officials, business and town leaders, package store owners, the faith community, police and neighbors to discuss and prevent teen substance use.
Space is limited for the World Café. Please RSVP by March 1 to madeinmadion@madisonct.org or phone (203) 245-5645. The inclement weather date for the event is March 7.
Marcy Beatty is the assistant coalition director for M.A.D.E.
