Lisa Laake and Andrea Clement-Johnson

Larimer County Department of Health & Environment

Why it is important –

Although tobacco and alcohol use rates have declined for youth, marijuana (MJ) use has been on the increase since 2007

Fewer teens smoke cigarettes than smoke marijuana

Young people are showing less disapproval of marijuana use and decreased perception that is it dangerous. This timing coincides with medical and recreational legalization efforts

Why it is important –MJ use data for 9th-12th graders in CO 23.9% of 9th graders had tried MJ at least

once; 48.1% of 12th graders had tried MJ at least once

8.1% tried before the age of 13 19.7% used MJ in the past 30 days 54.9% say it would be easy to get 10.9% drove when using MJ 19.7% rode with someone else who had

been using MJ

Effects of MJ on young people Difficulty concentrating, learning new things, poor

academic performance Memory loss and reduction in I.Q. Interferes with making sound decisions Increased risk of chronic depression and psychosis Addiction Motor vehicle crashes/accidents Heart/lung complications Engagement in other risk-taking behaviors Prenatal and breastfeeding exposure results in long-

term effects on children

Lessons learned from tobacco Education/prevention programs should be

comprehensive, sustainable and integrated into a community-wide approach

The evidence concludes that media campaigns, comprehensive community programs (where youth live, work, play) and state tobacco control programs (policy, advocacy, mobilization, etc.) prevent the initiation of tobacco use and reduce its prevalence among youth

Lessons learned from tobacco MJ, like tobacco and alcohol, is not difficult for young

people to get; with medical & recreational use, it is highly likely it will be even easier for young people to access

Close attention to flavored products that appeal to youth (e.g. flavored hookah, e-juice, Snus); edible marijuana (which will be available in Fort Collins) candies and treats may also be particularly appealing and confusing to young people

Investment in health & life outcomes Prevention and cessation efforts are proven to

reduce tobacco and substance use and lower associated healthcare costs, providing a strong return on investment (ROI)

Substance use prevention programs for youth are generally cost effective, because the programs are relatively inexpensive to implement

Though difficult to gauge the overall economic impact of substance abuse prevention, multiple studies suggest that $1 spent in prevention can result in roughly $10 in long-term benefits

Investment in health & life outcomes

Youth Engagement & Mobilization Peer-based programs are widely accepted

as a best practice when working with youth. They are designed to encourage attitudes,

knowledge, behaviors and outcomes that the community considers desirable, to discourage attitudes, behaviors and outcomes that a community considers undesirable, or to accomplish some of each of these.

Youth Engagement & Mobilization According to the National Institutes of Health,

youth-led, focused preventions programs have been identified as highly effective in engaging youth in tobacco research and prevention

Some key factors for success when working with youth include:Youth serving as leaders and advisorsSocial or financial rewards for youth who participateEnsuring the prevention information/outputs are culturally

appropriateThe inclusion of age and gender-relevant media, and Coordination with and linkages to ongoing programs and

partners

What we’re currently doing Established a youth coalition to design a

campaign for the prevention of youth initiation of marijuana

Providing links and education to reputable information about the health and safety issues related to marijuana for youth, schools and community members, and organizations, and

Reviewing coalition progress with other relevant stakeholders and agencies and identify future needs and activities as well as a means for identifying sustainable funding for a long-term project

What we intend to accomplish Develop a speaker’s bureau where students and

adult mentors can share evidence-based education and information about MJ and youth in Larimer County communities

Design a peer mentor program for high school aged students to offer to middle school students, reaching youth before initiation or regular use of MJ

Develop a media campaign on youth MJ prevention in all Larimer County communities

What we intend to accomplish Establish and promote that substance abuse

among young people is notwhat the majority of young people are doingharmless to healthwithout other consequences (legal, school-based

reputation, parental, etc.) Establish a coordinated prevention group, working

across the county, made up of agencies working with youth or invested in youth health and success

Reduce or prevent MJ use among youth in Larimer County

Other Benefits of Our Project

Responds to requests from leaders and concerned citizens in our communities

Increases youth leadership development opportunities for Larimer County teens now and into adulthood

Utilizes community partnerships to leverage resources for better and more comprehensive outcomes

Ensures consistent, truthful messaging about MJ and teens

Community Partners

Poudre School District Thompson School District Team Fort Collins The Center for Family Outreach Boys & Girls Club Alliance for Suicide Prevention KBC Communications Estes Valley Rec. & Parks District Larimer County Sheriff’s Office TFLC TobacNO coalitions

Thank you!

Questions?