The Big Horn County Health Coalition is hosting a meeting of the minds next week to spread awareness and seek solutions to the problem of underage drinking in north Big Horn County.


The “Town Hall Meeting” will take place Thursday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Lovell Community Center. A panel of participants is being formed and will likely include Lovell Chief of Police Nick Lewis, Sheriff Ken Blackburn, Lovell and Cowley Mayors Bruce Morrison and Roland Simmons, health care professionals, counselors, educators and students.


Health Coalition Director Chad Lindsay will moderate the discussion. Students interested in participating on the panel may contact Lindsay at 548-6410.


A free light dinner will be served to all who attend the meeting.


All parents, students and community members in the Lovell, Cowley, Byron, Deaver and Frannie area are encouraged to attend.


Lindsay said the idea behind the meeting is to gain a better understanding of the underage drinking problem in north Big Horn County and brainstorm with different areas of the community and discuss possible solutions.


The meeting is also designed to serve as a resource for parents who are seeking help with the issue in their family. Parents should come with any questions they have, which can be asked anonymously on paper.
The discussion is being held as part of Alcohol Awareness Month. While sponsored locally by the health coalition, the program is sponsored nationally by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration with support from the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking.