A Report from the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The brain continues to develop until age 25. Alcohol disrupts normal growth and development of the brain. There are many possible consequences of alcohol use such as legal problems and financial challenges that go along with MIP’s. Using alcohol under the age of 25 puts youth more at risk for suicide, homicide, and abuse or addiction of other drugs. Because you care, make sure youth do not have access to alcohol. Make sure they understand the consequences if they choose to use and talk to them about other risks associated with alcohol and drug use.
Your involvement has helped keep this rate low! Why? • Because you care about Lincoln County youth. • Because you want to keep youth from performing poorly in school or decreasing their IQ. • Because you know marijuana affects motivation, memory and learning. ALWAYS OPPOSE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.
States legalizing medical marijuana have teen marijuana usage over and above states that do not. Marijuana is detected in impaired drivers, fatally-injured drivers, and in motor vehicle crash victims more than any other illegal drug.
Hide or lock up any prescription medications. Take any unused or outdated medications to the Prescription Drug Collection at the Platte River Mall on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 AM - 1 PM. Prescription drugs are intended to be taken under a doctor’s direction. If used improperly, they can be dangerous and deadly. Abusing prescription drugs is not safer than abusing illicit drugs. Prescription drugs can have dangerous health consequences when used incorrectly or by someone other than prescribed. Medications in the home are the leading cause of accidental poisoning.
• Underage drinking is dangerous and illegal. • Drinking and driving is dangerous and illegal. • More than 6,000 companies nationwide require a pre-employment drug test. • Alcohol and other drug use leads to increased crime. • Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use costs the economy and impacts youth’s future.
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YOUR COMMUNITY AND PREVENTION Now that you know the facts, Community Connections wants you to know about PREVENTION. Why PREVENTION? Most anyone you know will tell you that not starting to do something is much easier than figuring out a way to stop doing it later. If we care about our youth, our families and our community, we have to subscribe to the belief that substance abuse in youth is NOT inevitable and is NOT a right of passage.
FACT: Science Matters Just as medical researchers have found risk factors for heart attacks, cancer and other diseases, research has defined a set of risk factors for substance abuse. Decades of research has resulted in a “science” of substance abuse prevention. This science has identified patterns of risk and protective factors contributing to alcohol and drug use in youth. Reducing risk factors, while at the same time strengthening protective factors, has been proven to reduce substance abuse in youth. Evidence-based practice involves making decisions based on the best available evidence for solving a challenge. Strategies tagged as evidence-based are comprised of research findings derived from systematic collection of data, testing of hypotheses and a subsequent rate of success.
FACT: Local People Solve Local Problems Best Community involvement and support is critical to the success of large-scale community change. Community Connections staff could work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, but individuals and families who love their community are all needed to help spearhead the same messages to youth and have the same expectations of youth with regard to tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, in order to achieve real change for our community. As adults, we are “licensed” to hold youth accountable for negative behaviors and we also have a license to praise them for their positive behaviors. Why are we just talking youth here? Shouldn’t that same principle hold true for all members of our community?
FACTS: Protective Factors Age of Onset The earlier the age someone starts “using,” the greater the risk that youth will develop use-related problems later in life. Delaying the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drug use until 21-years of age reduces the risk of developing use-related problems and addiction. (Chou et al, 1992). Hence, PREVENTION. (9.6% of Lincoln County 6th grade students had already drunk alcohol, 3.1% had smoked cigarettes, 1.2% had smoked marijuana.) Low Perception of Harm Low perception of harm towards alcohol and drug use is a risk factor for use (Henry et al, 2005). Individuals with attitudes or values favorable to alcohol or drugs are more likely to initiate substance use (Hawkins et al, 1992). (53% of Lincoln County 12th grade students said they believed that smoking marijuana
regularly did not put people at great risk; 40% also said that smoking 1 or more packs a day did not put people at great risk; and 41% said that using prescription drugs without a doctor’s direction did not put people at great risk.) Learn the facts and consequences of substance abuse. Talk about them often. Youth Access and Availability The majority of alcohol consumed by youth is obtained through social sources, such as parents and friends, at underage parties and at home (Birckmayer et al, 2004). Availability of alcohol or illegal drugs leads to increased use (Hawkins et al, 1995). (66.8% of 2012 Lincoln County 12th grade students said cigarettes were easy to obtain; 67.1% said the same about alcohol; 48.9% said the same about marijuana; and 37.9% said the same about prescription drugs.) Youth Perception That Parents Approve of Their Alcohol or Drug Use One of the most consistent risk factors for youth drinking is perceived parental approval (Donovan, 2004). So, when you say, “A kid isn’t normal if s/he doesn’t try drinking,” or “A couple drinks won’t hurt,” they’re being told it’s okay to drink. Also, they are being encouraged to break the law. (35% of Lincoln County 10th grade students and 34.6% of Lincoln County 12th grade students believed that parental attitudes towards use were favorable.) Strong parent and adolescent relationship and family cohesion Adolescents who have close relationships with their parents are less likely to become users (Birckmayer et al, 2004). Spend quality time with youth, really listen to them, always be honest with them and let them know they are valued. Parental monitoring (or perception of monitoring) Adolescents who report low parental monitoring are significantly more likely to use a variety of substances (Shillington et al, 2005). Positive parental style and close monitoring by parents are proven protective factors for adolescent’s use of alcohol and other drugs (Stewart, 2002). Peers Associating with drug- or alcohol-using peers, or being rejected by peers, can promote problem behaviors and influence attitudes and norms related to substance use (O'Connell et al, 2009). Those who drink in a social setting, or who have peers who do so, are more likely to abuse alcohol later in life (Beck et al, 1996). (46.8% of Lincoln County 6th grade students felt they were bullied, 43% of 8th grade students, 34.7% of 10th grade students and 26.1% of 12th students felt they were bullied.) Know where your youth is at all times and who they hang out with. Get to know their families and what their rules are for tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Early and Persistent Problem Behaviors, Risk-Taking, and High Sensation-Seeking Be aware that early aggressiveness or antisocial behavior persisting into early adolescence predicts later adolescent aggressiveness, drug abuse, and alcohol problems (Hawkins et
al, 1995). Because children are active does not mean they are aggressive or anti-social. Seek professional help to know the difference. Keep children busy, praise their creative arts and fun, give them responsibilities and make them follow through. Sacrifice your time for them. Parent or Older Sibling Drug Use (or perception of use) Family alcohol-using behaviors are strong predictors of adolescent alcohol use (Birckmayer et al, 2004). In a 2003 study, alcohol initiation most often occurred during family gatherings. Family history of alcoholism was a significant risk factor for the development of adolescent problem drinking (Warner et al, 2003). Drinking should not be the focus of any family event and no one should ever be visually impaired by the use of drugs or alcohol. Poor School Achievement and Low School Bonding Adolescents who have a low commitment to school or do poorly are more likely to use substances (Birckmayer et al, 2004).
Successes: Prescription Drug Collection the third Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Platte River Mall. Thank you Platte River Mall! More than 250 pounds of unused or expired drugs were destroyed and out of the hands of youth last year. Hundreds attended the annual National Night Out at Cody Park to partner in preventing crime and substance abuse leading to positive community change. Hundreds joined us to learn the Ugly Truth about Marijuana from a Colorado Perspective. Growth in youth driven programs • CREW - a student-led organization that allows teens to choose issues they find important and mobilize for positive community change. CREW gives teens a chance to become leaders in their community, as well as take pride and ownership in projects they create and put into action. • Assets/Life Skills - Leadership program for sixth, seventh and eighth graders that focuses on the Developmental Assets, which are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make. Recognized Matt Irish as a community champion, not only for his sound moral character, integrity, and generosity, but also for his willingness to be a part of the solution, the solution to improve quality of life for children and families by reducing rates of substance abuse. Tell us who else is deserving of such an award.
Positive, creative and attractive youth driven messaging for local billboards, TV commercials, radio ads and print media. United with several schools for Red Ribbon Week celebration. Red Ribbon Week is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of youth challenging them to commit to a drug-free lifestyle. Signatures on a life-size pledge to promise to be a good example and choose to be marijuana-free.
Looking forward to: 2014 Upcoming Family Friendly Events: National Night Out (August 5) Doggie Dash/Puppy Olympics ( September 6) Girls Night Out (November 21) Finding community mentors for waiting list of mentees. Call 308-696-0976 to find out how you can be a mentor and change two lives. Involving youth in planning and implementing healthy activities. Eradicating substance abuse among youth. Do your part, contact law enforcement to report any suspected tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or other drug use among youth. STAFF • Jayna Schaaf, Executive Director • Marcise Albrecht, Administrative Assistant / Mentoring CoCoordinator • Jan Schartz, Substance Abuse Prevention System Coalition Coordinator • George Haws, Tobacco Free Lincoln County Coalition Coordinator • Mona Tarin, Mentoring Coordinator • Amy Connery-Harmon, Youth Program Coordinator Join COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS (est. 1988) in connecting agencies, businesses neighborhood, schools, and individuals to coordinate activities, services and programs to enhance the quality of life for children and families in Lincoln County. Data Source: Nebraska Risk and Protective Factors Student Survey Results for 2012. Sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Education Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. More information at: http://captus.samhsa.gov/access-resources/common-risk-and-protective-factors-alcohol-and-drug-use Number of Lincoln Year County Students Reporting 2012 1,219 2010 1,209 2007 1,017 2005 910 2003 1,126