Haines Borough Public Library

Perspectives: Issues and Explorations is a two-year program developed by the Haines Borough Public Library and Lynn Canal Broadcasting (KHNS radio). This multi-faceted project focuses on the innovative application of technology to educate rural Alaskans about the impacts of drug and alcohol abuse. Alaska has the nation's highest rate of illegal drug use, and Haines and its neighboring villages suffer from high unemployment ranging from 14 percent in the general population to 75 percent in tribal villages. The project will promote lifelong learning and social engagement for patrons and listeners in Haines, Klukwan, Skagway, and 20 rural Alaskan towns reached by Community Radio Alaska. Activities include training for community participants in storytelling through digital audio production, creation of audio diaries illustrating the impacts of substance abuse, dissemination of audio diaries through broadcast and through a website, and development of related resources such as curriculum materials for dissemination via the website. Lynn Canal Counseling Services, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, Haines School District, Police Department and the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Community Education Project will collaborate to share their expertise and resources in program planning and implementation. The project will increase awareness of substance abuse impacts, encourage civic participation, and create a partnership network among the participating organizations to improve services to their communities.