NFL Hall-of-Famer joins anti-drug effort

An NFL Hall-of-Famer has joined a local effort to reduce teen drinking and drug use. Dan Fouts, a former San Diego Chargers quarterback, is a sports broadcaster and 25-year Sisters resident. Fouts calls Sisters a “great community” and is glad to be investing some time with Think Again ParentS (TAPS) to make it even better.

“You have to be proactive,” said Fouts.

Fouts is the host of a video for TAPS which will be shown to local churches, Rotary Clubs and other community groups to spread the TAPS message. Also, it will be shown in other communities that want to start a similar program.

TAPS board member Al Boyette is leading the video project. He credits Fluid Images for doing the video at a “greatly reduced cost” to keep the budget low.

Boyette said many people move to this small community and assume drug and alcohol abuse aren’t much of a problem.

“Sisters has been asleep about this situation,” said Boyette. “The best way to prevent that is to have an awareness campaign.”

Boyette said the video includes some statistics that should be a wake-up call. The 2004 Oregon Healthy Teens Survey for Sisters School District reports 42 percent of 11th graders and 25 percent of eighth graders have had at least one drink of alcohol in the past 30 days.

TAPS Board President Eric Beckwith is a Community Juvenile Justice Officer with Deschutes County. Beckwith said TAPS can accomplish a lot.

“It’s different than what I’ve seen because it targets both kids and parents,” said Beckwith.

Board member Robin Marshall, from the Deschutes County Prevention Office, said the people involved in the awareness effort are very committed to the TAPS goal.

“All I’m thinking is if I help one kid, then it’s worth it,” said Fouts.

For information call 549-2287.