By Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The Clermont Police Department (CPD) held its bi-monthly Coffee with a Cop, community relations event on Wednesday, July 16th at the Citrus Coffee Company located within the Florida Citrus Tower, 141 US-27, Clermont. Coffee with a Cop is a program designed to enhance community member relationship with law enforcement officers and the citizens of the communities that they serve. Businesses throughout the area often host the Coffee with a Cop program to exhibit not only support of the community but also support of the local first responders in the community. It also provides a neutral location for real conversations about issues that matter.
The CPD will once again be participating in the annual “Operation Southern Slow Down” campaign this week. The campaign will continue through the weekend of July 19th with an emphasis on speed enforcement and public education regarding traffic safety. The initiative is conducted in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the southeastern states of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, inlcuding the municipalities and counties within these states.
The campaign builds on a longstanding tradition of collaboration and aims to reduce speed-related fatalities and serious injury crashes by targeting speeding and aggressive driving violations. The campaign takes place just days after a new law in Florida went into effect to include penalties for excessive speeds. Florida HB-351, Dangerous Excessive Speeding is now a criminal violation. Drivers that exceed the speed limit by 50+ MPH or recklessly drive faster than 100 MPH once gets you up to 30 days in jail and/ or a fine of $500. Repeating the offense can lead to a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and/ or a fine of $1,000, plus the potential loss of your driver’s license if the second offense is committed within a 5-year period.
As a bonus to the chance to meet your local first responders, representatives of the Lifestream Youth Recovery Care Center were also on hand to answer questions regarding teenagers aged 12-17 years of age that are struggling with substance abuse.
Lifestream has a residential treatment facility located in Clermont at 2120 Don Wickham Drive. The program provides a structured and supportive environment for both teen males and females that are currently using Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or other illicit substances. Program Services Manager Bobby Lyons states that the problem is not just a local problem but a Central Florida problem that is near disastrous levels. “The ingredients are easy to obtain and are prevalent on our streets. The controlled substances that we are seeing are not the only problem, but they are being “cut” with all sorts of ingredients that only add to the danger of the initial drug itself”, says Lifestream Therapist Amelia Zehnder.
Lifestream offers evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior, person-centered, strength based and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Recovery also includes a “co-occurring” treatment program for both adolescents and their families who are diagnosed with a substance use or co-occurring disorder. The usual length of in-house treatment is 30-45 days. The facility also offers transition care for outpatient individuals to ensure a successful and supportive return to the community.
The facility practices a “Care for All” policy when providing treatment. Medicaid is accepted and a sliding scale, along with financial assistance is available. “We will not turn down care based on the inability to pay”, says Lyons.
Call 352-315-7500 ext. 7722 or email yrcc@lsbc.net for additional information.