As the days get longer and the temperature starts to rise we can’t help but think that spring is right around the corner. Many people view spring as the start of the new year, which might not be a bad way of looking at it because everything starts to come back to life.

One thing is for certain, our coalition has been continually working hard to help your students make healthy choices and remain drug and alcohol free.

Did you know that you could help us in 10 minutes or less? Not only can you help your 7-12th grade student but you can help raise money for a local charity by just taking a simple survey. We need your thoughts and opinions. If you are a parent of a 7th -12th grade student you should have received a postcard in the mail asking you to take a survey.

The survey is anonymous but the data is priceless! The survey will gather your responses about rules, conversations and perceptions you have about youth alcohol use. Why is this important? Simple. Sometimes communication is lost and false perceptions are formed.

Our coalition would like to help get the truth out. Truth is, your responses to these questions in the survey will help guide local efforts to keep your student and other teens in our community healthy.

In addition, our coalition will allow you to decide which local non-profit will receive up to a $5,000 donation. People who take the survey will be allowed to select the recipient by just completing the survey. A 10-dollar donation, a dollar for each minute of your time, will be made to the non-profit of your choice for each completed survey up to $5,000.

Don’t delay, visit our coalition website at www.truthisaustin.com and click the link “survey.” If you don’t have access to an electronic device, printed surveys are available through March 9 at the Austin Public Library.

Your voice matters and remember these surveys are completely anonymous.

Bill Spitzer is the Planning and Implementation (P & I) Coordinator working closely with APAC (Austin Positive Action Coalition). APAC and Bill will be working with our schools and community as part of a 5-year grant focusing on Positive Community Norms. Feel free to contact him at the Austin High School 507.460.1800 ext. 0361 or via e-mail bill.spitzer@austin.k12.mn.us. This grant is made possible by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, ADAD and hosted locally by the PRC. To learn more about the Parenting Resource, visit their website at www.familiesandcommunities.org