Jeremy Little of Neighbors Building Neighborhood is a man a mission. Over the years I have been able to work with many folks and organizations that share a similar purpose of eliminating the substance abuse problems in our Oklahoma communities as we do here at Narconon Arrowhead.
In doing so I have had the pleasure of working with Jeremy Little, a Certified Prevention Specialist who works at Neighbors building Neighborhoods, a Non-Profit Program aimed at making Muskogee and surrounding areas a better place to live and work. Personally, I couldn’t think of anyone more suited for the job.
Back on January 27, 1997, the Muskogee City Council approved the development of the “Muskogee Vision Team” to help set up a long range plan for the city. Aptly named “Neighbors Building Neighborhoods,” the project was jointly funded by the City of Muskogee, the Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Muskogee Development Corporation.
After gathering input of 100’s of stakeholders in the area Neighbors building Neighborhoods developed a set of core standards from which to operate and move Muskogee forward. These standards include:
- Community Image – Promoting an environment that creates a positive image and provides a safe, wholesome place to live.
- Diversity – Promoting unity and mutual respect by accepting, celebrating and embracing diversity as a strength.
- Education – Establishing an excellent education system that provides citizens with lifelong learning opportunities and, thereby, a higher quality of life.
- Empowerment – Encouraging participation at all levels of community life to empower all citizens to address the issues that impact them.
- Ethics – Encouraging and demonstrating the development of the highest standards of integrity and ethics in all citizens, in all aspects of their lives.
- Family – Cultivating an environment that supports strong family foundations in all types of family units.
- Future – Celebrating their heritage and embracing the challenges of the future.
- Wellness – Promoting spiritual, physical and emotional wellness.
I was introduced to Jeremy and his co-worker, Lindsey Roberts through the McIntosh County Community Coalition ( MCoCo) as part of their substance abuse committee, of which Mr. Little is Chairman. I can honestly say that from everything that I have seen, Mr. Little characterizes the very concepts Neighbors Building Neighborhoods has adopted.
Mr. Little spearheaded a prescription drug take back day event that involved the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, The Eufaula Pharmacy and MCoCo that yielded over 8,000 pills for disposal and is now teaching a class to those that sell alcohol about the importance of complying with the state’s underage alcoholic beverage laws.
Oklahoma is near the top when it comes to prescription drug addiction and a recent alcohol compliance check in the Muskogee area found that 66% of those checked sold alcohol to minors. In 2010 underage drinking costs Oklahoma taxpayers $800.
Both of these issues are obviously tremendous burdens to our society and it’s good to know Mr. Little is helping us do something about it! I am very happy to be working with you!