Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign Will Target Substance–Impaired Drivers.

Dexter, Missouri - Local and state law enforcement will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide May/Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from May 3-14, 2018. 

The effective nationwide substance–impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb substance–impaired driving during the enforcement period. 

Dexter Police said its officers will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.   Although it is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or other illegal drugs. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.

 

“Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance- impaired drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Captain Trevor Pulley. “In 2017, 185 people were killed and 592 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.” That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every (2) two days. 

Captain Pulley added the St. Patrick’s Day holiday is particularly dangerous. During 2017, 51 people were killed or seriously injured involving at least one substance-impaired driver that was under 21 years of age. 

Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign reduces substance–impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make [Local Area]’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Captain Pulley. 

“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses,” Captain Pulley said. 

Captain Pulley noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance–impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of their job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment. 

“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Captain Pulley. 

For more information, visit the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Headquarters at www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov , or www.saveMOlives.com .

Missouri - Judges, lawyers and court clerks thank the 75,181 Missourians who reported for jury duty in state courts in 2017 as part of Missouri’s Juror Appreciation Week held April 29 through May 5, 2018. During the week, court staff and legal professionals will emphasize to jurors how important their contributions are to our courts, communities and legal system.

 

2017-18 Missouri Bar President Morry Cole said it is important to keep in mind that the right to a jury trial is a constitutional promise.

 

“Maintaining the right to a trial by jury is fundamental to upholding our constitution and democracy. As lawyers and judges, we appreciate those who give their time to promote justice for all,” Cole said.

 

More than 50 courthouses throughout the state will observe the week in different ways. Many will display a poster provided by The Missouri Bar thanking jurors for doing their part. Judges also may take additional time to thank jurors and to acknowledge the significance of their service. Other activities include special ceremonies and official proclamations marking the event. Even more Missourians can join the celebration and share photos of their activities on social media using #ThankAJuror.

 

“Our resources are here to help court officials celebrate this important event,” Cole said. “Observing Juror Appreciation Week—with visual aids, a visit from a judge or otherwise—reminds Missourians that their jury service helps carry out the promises stated in our country’s Sixth and Seventh Amendments.”

 

Missouri is one of only a few states that hold a statewide Juror Appreciation Week. The observance began in 2000 by an order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, which states, “Each year thousands of Missourians perform one of the most significant civic duties granted to citizens -- they serve as fair and impartial jurors in communities throughout the state. To honor those citizens who have performed their civic duty, all Missouri courts are directed to observe Juror Appreciation Week…”

 

Visit the event webpage to learn more about Juror Appreciation Week or take a quiz to test your knowledge on jury service.

 

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 30,000 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators and the citizens of Missouri. 

Bootheel Counseling Services will kick off Mental Health Month this May by providing Mental Health First Aid training. 

The agency will train members of the public to improve mental health literacy; helping them identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness.

“We are thrilled to bring Mental Health First Aid to our communities,” said David Terrell, Executive Director of Bootheel Counseling Services. “This important educational effort goes a lot further than emergency interventions; it really helps people understand the fear and misjudgment facing individuals and families who experience mental illnesses and addiction. It will help rid this community of the associated stigma and help move more and more people toward recovery. Because we strongly believe in the training and the importance for everyone to receive it Bootheel Counseling Services will offer this training at no charge.”

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training course which teaches participants a five-step action plan to assess a situation, select and implement interventions and secure appropriate care of the individual, the certification program introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact and overviews common treatments. Thorough evaluations in randomized controlled trials and quantitative study have proven the CPR-like program is effective in improving trainees’ knowledge of mental health disorders, reducing stigma and increasing the amount of help provided to others. 

Bootheel Counseling Services first began offering Mental Health First Aid training sessions in 2009. Since that time hundreds of local law enforcement personnel, probation and parole staff, hospitals, medical centers, schools, juvenile centers, faith-based communities as well as the general public have participated. Terrell concluded, “We hope that by offering the Mental Health Fist Aid training sessions in our area, it will become as common as the CPR trainings; and communities will learn how to respond to an individual in time of crisis or in a mental health emergency.” 

The Mental Health First Aid training session will be on May 1st at the New Madrid Public Safety Center in New Madrid. Because the training is very hands on seating is limited to 25 individuals. For more information, to participate in or host a Mental Health First Aid training contact Jennifer Hartlein, Director of Fund Development and Public Relations at Bootheel Counseling Services by calling 573-471-0800 or by visiting the BCS website at www.bootheelcounseling.com.

Bootheel Counseling Services is not-for-profit community mental health center and the Administrative Agent for the State of Missouri Department of Mental Health. Services offered include medication management, individual, family, couples and group counseling. In home case management services are available for children and adults with serious mental health or emotional disorders.  Other matters to call about may be depression and anxiety, grief and loss, relationship and behavioral problems, stress and anger management, and substance use disorders.

Dexter, Missouri - "Bootheel Recycling is a Missouri scrap metal recycling company whose customer base includes regional utility companies, large manufacturing businesses, tool and die shops, local Dexter scrap dealers, haulers, farmers and individuals across Southeast Missouri and Arkansas."

"We comply vigilantly with the laws set forth by OSHA, EPA, federal and Missouri. Our scrap metal recycling policies are honest and transparent. Our scales are certified yearly and calibrated twice a year. We belong to the Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. We are OSHA 10 certified. We have the highest graded material in the industry."

"We buy most forms of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including copper, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, scrap iron, radiators and catalytic converters. Please consult our Scrap Metal Selling Guide to find out more about how to sell scrap metal, and how to get the most money for your scrap metal. The best indication of our success is our loyal customer base. We are nice people with good business practices. We have a very high level of return business, and our new customers often come to us by way of referral."

"Our friendly customer service staff will ensure that your recycling experience is simple and hassle-free. Our modern and streamlined processing system allows us to offer competitive prices. Please contact us today if you would like to inquire about our services."

Dexter, Missouri - On Saturday, April 28th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the Dexter Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

"Bring your pills for disposal to the lobby of the Dexter Police Department at 305 Cooper Street, in Dexter. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked," commented Trevor Pulley.

Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. That's why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - a record amount of prescription drugs.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.