OXNARD : Drug Awareness Campaign Starts
In an effort to heighten awareness of alcohol and drug problems in the Latino community, a coalition of groups will sponsor a weeklong educational campaign in east Oxnard’s La Colonia area.
Beginning today, the Colonia Coalition on Alcohol and Other Drugs will sponsor a series of workshops on five consecutive nights, said Rigoberto Vargas, a program assistant for El Concilio del Condado de Ventura.
“There is an over-representation of problems with driving under the influence in the Latino community, and a problem in the Colonia area with the number of alcohol outlets,” Vargas said.
The workshops will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ramona Adult Center, 804 Cooper Road, Oxnard. Each night’s program will focus on a different topic, including “Drugs and HIV/AIDS” and “Driving Under the Influence.”
Besides El Concilio, the Colonia Coalition includes members from the La Colonia Village Tenants Assn., Oxnard Police Department, Oxnard Housing Authority, and Ventura County Drug and Alcohol Programs.
On Sunday, following the workshops, the coalition will sponsor a family festival, “ Tardeada en el Parque Sin Alcohol y Drogas ,” to promote clean and sober entertainment.
The event, which will include live music, dance contests and ballet, will also feature health education about alcohol and other drug use and abuse. The tardeada will take place from noon to 4 p.m. in the stadium at Del Sol Park, 1500 Colonia Road. For information, call Vargas at 983-2336.
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