It may look like just an ordinary camper, but a new educational experience through the Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC), is planning to show the many hidden places for drugs and alcohol. Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) is an education program initiated through Alliance of Coalitions For Change (AC4C) to show parents, law enforcement, teachers and community members every day items that are actually containers that have compartments to conceal various substances. Executive Director for MRHC’s Recover Center, Taya Vonnahme says the prevention program offered through the center participated in the HIPS Backpack presentations at various schools in the area, but were wanting to establish something that more represented a home.
Vonnahme says that Iowa leads the country for binge drinking, and other substances being seen include cocaine, fentanyl, and a horse tranquilizer, Zylazine. She says the Recovery Center applied and was awarded $29,000 through the Carroll County’s Opiate Settlement Fund, which paid for the camper and the supplies inside, which were very easily purchased.
The MRHC camper will be parked at the hospital for the winter months, but Vonnahme says there are already presentations scheduled for next spring. She says the plan is to get out to county fairs, schools for staff trainings, and various places around the region educating adults ages 21 and over.
The Hidden in Plain Sight Camper was the idea of MRHC Prevention Coordinator Neeka Jacobsen and helped put together by staff at the recovery center. Any organization, business or individual interested in scheduling a presentation can contact Jacobsen at 712-655-8280 or email at neeka.jacobsen@mrhcia.com.
