After eight years at the helm of the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership (OIPP), Executive Director Moriah Armstrong will be resigning from her position on Sept. 30 2008 to enjoy a semi-retirement.

“I think it is time for new leadership. There are still two years left on our current grant and it’s a good time for a transition. I want more time with my four children and grandchild, more time in my garden and I want to take things a little slower,” says Armstrong of her decision.

The OIPP program was started in 2000 after work that Armstrong and others were doing at the Children’s House Family Resource Center brought to the surface concerns among Orcas parents about substance abuse. A state incentive grant funded the early stages of the program to identify strategies. This was followed by a federal grant in 2000 that led to the funding of the executive director position. The federal grant was renewed again in 2005. In total the program has received $680,706 in federal grants.

The grants have been used to fund the administrative staff and provide programs, including parent networking, the High School Psychology class, the elementary school counselor, Funhouse Mentoring and Teen Night, the Readiness to Learn Parent Education and Support, community awareness through media and the Spotlight on the Positive campaign.

There have been advances in accomplishing the OIPP goals according to Armstrong. A Washington Healthy Youth Survey taken in 2006 showed a 50 percent drop in Orcas students in all grades surveyed, 8th through 12th, reporting alcohol use and a 60 percent decrease in marijuana use in the past 30 days when compared to 2000. In 2006, 80 percent of Orcas businesses complied with Washington State Liquor laws compared to 25 percent in 2000.

“We have also seen a decrease in the age of first use. The younger a person is when they start using alcohol the more problems they are likely to have with substance abuse. Every year we keep children from using alcohol puts them firmer on the road to future success. Alcohol is present in our community and readily accessible. In 2000, the age of first usage was 12.5 and in 2006, our surveys showed it as 14.3.”

In addition to the federal grants, the program has been funded by local grants and fundraising such as the Orcas Idol event. Together these sources have provided $50,000 and state grants have totaled $261,000. After the current federal grant runs out in 2010, the program will need to find additional funding sources. Armstrong admits that funding after 2010 will be a challenge. “Maybe we won’t be as large. Maybe we will need to be more focused on what we do to address community issues,” she says.

“I trust in our dedicated board of directors to continue. The OIPP Board is committed to the importance of their role in bringing community focus on ways to prevent substance abuse. They believe that the community needs this non-judgmental coalition,” she says.

A new goal for the OIPP will be to work on adult substance abuse. The strategy will include regular adult screening in clinics of those at risk. The approach, as always, will stress non-judgmental and empathetic inquiry about readiness to change. “OIPP is not a heavy-handed health terrorism approach. The social norms approach is more in line with the optimistic spirit of our community,” Armstrong says.

“It is normal for adults to enjoy and use alcohol but when healthy usage changes to using it to cope, substance usage can become substance abuse and lead to the police blotter. Investing upfront in strengthening and supporting our community not only helps people but also saves us incredible dollars,” she says.

The interview process for the new director will start in August with a goal of having the new director on board by Oct. 1.