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Drug Free Communities Program Funded 2009. Adolescent Substance Use: America’s #1 Public Health Problem
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Drug Free Communities Program Funded 2009
Adolescent Substance Use: • America’s #1 Public Health Problem “Adolescent smoking, drinking, misusing prescription drugs and using illegal drugs is, by any measure, a public health problem of epidemic proportion, presenting clear and present danger to millions of America’s teenagers. “ June 2011 - National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
What Placer Youth Have Said What Placer Youth Have Said 7,800 Placer 9th & 11th graders surveyed 2009-2010 California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) 2010-2011 Placer County Youth Surveys
Underage Drinking • 10% of 9th graders and 22% of 11th • graders had binged in the last 30 days • (5 or more drinks in a row) • more than half (52%) of 11thgraders • said drinking alcohol 1-2 times/week • was NOT harmful Underage Drinking 1 in 5 Placer County Youth drank alcohol by age 13 (20%)
Still-developing brains (10-21 years) are much more susceptible to addiction and permanent damage from drug and alcohol use. • There is clear scientific evidence that alcohol diminishes a teen’s capacity for learning and memory, thus compromising their chances for educational success and their future.
Abuse of prescription pain killers now ranks second, only behind Marijuana, as the nation’s most prevalent illegal drug problem. (Office of National Drug Control Policy) • Every day 2,500 youth (ages 12-17) abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time. (Partnership for a Drug-Free America) Prescription Drug Use • PLACER COUNTY YOUTH: • 19% of 11th graders had used a prescription painkiller • 10% of Placer 11th graders had taken a prescription medicine without a doctor’s • order in the last 30 days • 11% of 9th graders and 14% of 11th graders had used an over the counter medicine • to get high or stoned
77% said it is easy to get • alcohol • 50% said it is easy to get • prescription medicines • 56% said it is easy to get • Over the Counter • medicines (OTC) Ease of AccessPlacer County 11th graders
Our teens are awash in a sea of addictive substances, while adults send mixed messages at best, wink and look the other way, or blatantly condone or promote their use. In so doing, we normalize behavior that undermines the health and futures of our teens. The tragedy is not that we don’t know what to do; rather, it is that we simply fail to do it. National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, June 2011
Community Norms • Community norms • drive behavior • The way our community looks at drugs and alcohol influences youths’ attitudes and behaviors around drinking and drug use. • Attitudes such as: • drinking is a “right of passage” • all teens drink • it’s safer for them to drink at home • Community norms drive a teen’s perception of harm which then influences the choices they make. More than half (52%) of Placer 11th graders said having 5 or more drinks of alcohol 2-3 times a week was NOT HARMFUL.
Parent Influence Youth say parental disapproval of underage drinking is the key reason they have chosen not to drink.
Talked with a parent/guardian in past 12 months about dangers of substance use
Talked With Parent or Guardian in past 12 months about the dangers of alcohol use compared with alcohol use
Don’t Give Up On Your Power As A Parent Children who learn about drug risks from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use alcohol
Take the Parent Pledge Join our efforts to reduce youth access to alcohol and prescription medications BE A PARENT NOT A PAL Join 1,000 Placer County parents enrolling in the responsible host database and make a commitment to not allow underage drinking in your home. www.coalitionforplaceryouth.org Take a Secure medicines and alcohol in your home Talk with your teens about the dangers of alcohol and drugs Assure alcohol and other drugs are not available at teen parties Network with other parents Drug test your teen STAND
Secure Monitor DisposePrescription (Rx) and Over the Counter (OTC) meds • 11% of Placer County 11th graders reported • getting Rx or OTC medicines from their own • home or home of another family member. • 13% of 9th graders and 27% of 11th graders got • Rx or OTC meds from another teen. • Compared with street drugs, teens say • Rx/OTC medicines are easier to get and • “safer”.
Join CPY’s efforts working to make Placer County a Drug Free Community for our youth. = COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS SOLUTIONS
Community Forums Community Forums Raising awareness ♦ Sharing resources ♦ Networking Sierra College Spring 2012 World Cafe Underage Drinking Forum Fall 2011
Rx Take Back Eventskeeping Rx, OTC meds out of the hands or our youth • 4 EVENTS 2010 - 2012 • Over 3,000 Placer County residents participated Over 10,000 pounds of medicines collected • Partners: • 5 local law enforcement including Police and • Placer County Sheriff • Placer County Environmental Engineering • Cities of Auburn and Roseville • School Districts, Sierra College • Placer County Youth Commission
Parent Presentations Parent Presentations • GOAL is to: • raise awareness • give parents and other adults tools to • talk with youth about the dangers of • alcohol and drugs • After presentation: • 97% said they would NOT allow teens • to drink in their home • 129 registered in the Responsible Host • Database Over 200 participants – 100% said they would recommend the presentation to a friend
Youth Leadership Youth Leadership
Working together, Drug Free Communities programs across the nation are having an impact, reducing underage drinking and teen drug use. Looking to the Future Looking to the Future CPY ‘s mission is to work to reduce substance abuse among youth by promoting healthy community norms and behaviors and by advocating for policies and practices through community collaboration and partnership. • Forming and supporting community partnerships • Strategies for effective and sustainable community change • Social Host Ordinance • Continued efforts to raise awareness • Parent engagement / resources, networking • Youth development / Youth Commission, Latino Youth • Permanent Rx disposal sites • SBIRT
How YOU Can Make a Difference • Be a parent not a PAL – don’t serve to teens • Talk EARLY Talk OFTEN to youth about the dangers of alcohol, • Rx, OTC and other drugs • Network with other parents • Secure, Monitor, Dispose • Register in Responsible Host Database • Schedule parent presentation in your neighborhood • Be a Partner - Join our Coalition • Participate in our quarterly partnership meetings • Sign up for our CPY e-newsletter • Get others involved - help organize parent presentations; community • forums; change our community norm • Partner with other community groups, schools, parents to reduce • youth access to alcohol and drugs
Be an active participant Join our CPY Leadership Team Contact Information: Shari Crow, Coordinator (530) 889 - 7238 info@coalitionforplaceryouth.org