Prevention makes a big difference

When someone takes action that could have prevented a tragedy — but not until after the tragedy has already occurred — well, you probably know the saying: It’s like closing the barn door after the horse is already out.

Darla Reed and the staff of the Roosevelt County Driving While Intoxicated Grant Program are trying to beat that horse to the barn door with a free program on Saturday, which they have dubbed Prevention Day.

It’s worth a look.

First of all, it’s not a whole day — it’s only three hours — and they’re not even asking for that whole three hours of your time.

They are simply hoping that between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, you will drop by the Jake Lopez Building on the south side of the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds, 705 E. Lime St. in Portales, and take advantage of a wealth of information gathered under one roof.

“The DWI program staff brainstormed ideas on ways to acknowledge National Prevention Week,” Reed said. “We decided to try to organize a ‘Prevention Day’ and get other agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals involved in the area.”

Eighteen different groups and agencies have signed on so far, with a myriad of causes they hope to address, including underage drinking, opioid addiction and abuse, drug awareness, sexual assault services and prevention, domestic violence prevention, childhood obesity prevention, child abuse and neglect awareness and prevention, behavioral health education and awareness … the list goes on and on.

Besides Reed’s DWI program, other agencies that will be on hand include the Portales Police Department, the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office, the Portales High School chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions, Arise Sexual Assault Services, Mental Health Resources, the Hartley House, and the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department.

“Ten percent of society needs and uses these services listed,” Reed said, “and at any given time we never know when we are going to be part of that 10 percent needing help.”

Curry County hosted a similar event last month, Reed said. It’s all part of National Prevention Week, an effort by the United States government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, whose motto is “Action Today. Healthier Tomorrow.”

“We hope to raise awareness of the multiple opportunities in the area to get assistance and help with various needs and challenges within our population,” Reed said.

She said there will be free information and activities for school-aged children through adults. Free hot dogs and drinks will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on site.

Bottom line: “It’s a quick stop for families and individuals for a little bit of fun, entertainment, free food and drinks and door prizes, too,” Reed said.

With any luck at all, it will help all of us find new ways to close those barn doors in time to make a difference.

Betty Williamson applauds all who work to make this a better place to live. Reach her at: [email protected]