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

7,800 Placer 9th & 11th graders surveyed

2009-2010 California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) 2010-2011 Placer County Youth Surveys

What Placer Youth Have SaidWhat Placer Youth Have Said

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 11th graders said drinking alcohol 1-2 times/week was NOT harmful

1 in 5 Placer County Youth drank alcohol by age 13 (20%)

Underage Drinking

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.

Prescription Drug Use 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)

PLACER COUNTY YOUTH:

19% of 11th graders had used a prescription painkiller10% 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

Placer County Youth 2009 -2011 Student Surveys

Tobacco Alcohol Marijuana Prescription meds

Over the Counter meds

13

33

179 11

22

55

35

14 14

Lifetime Use - % respondents

9th 11th

Ease of AccessPlacer County 11th graders

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)

Where Placer Teens Get Alcohol% student responses

adults buy it for them

at friend's home

other teens

parties/events outside of school

college students/parties

8

12

31

34

36

12

17

39

48

48

9th 11th

20 26

3444

9th 11th

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 NormsCommunity 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.

Youth say parental disapproval of

underage drinking is the key reason they have chosen not to

drink.

Parent Influence

Talked with a parent/guardian in past 12 months about dangers of substance use

Alcohol Prescription meds Over the Counter meds

55

39 38

51

36 35

Placer County Youth - % respondents9th 11th

Talked With Parent or Guardian in past 12 months about the dangers of alcohol use compared with alcohol use

7th 9th 11th0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Lifetime UseCurrent UseTalked with parent/guardian%

resp

onde

nts

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 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

Take the Parent PledgeJoin 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

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”.

COMMUNITYPARTNERSHIPS = SOLUTION

S

Join CPY’s efforts working to make Placer County a Drug Free Community for our youth.

Community ForumsRaising awareness ♦ Sharing resources ♦ Networking

World Cafe

Underage Drinking Forum Fall 2011

Sierra College Spring 2012

Community Forums

Rx Take Back Eventskeeping Rx, OTC meds out of the hands or our youth

4 EVENTS 2010 - 2012Over 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 PresentationsParent 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 LeadershipYouth Leadership

Working together, Drug Free Communities programs across the nation are having an impact, reducing underage drinking and teen drug use.

• 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

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.

Looking to the FutureLooking to the Future

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

Contact Information:Shari Crow, Coordinator

(530) 889 - 7238

info@coalitionforplaceryouth.org

Be an active participant Join our CPY Leadership Team