NORTH COASTAL PREVENTION COALITION TURNS 30

Reducing the harm of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drug use

remains critical

Written by Aaron Byzak President, North Coastal Prevention Coalition

2023 will mark 30 years since the North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) was formed by a dedicated group of volunteers from Oceanside, (and originally called the Oceanside Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition). I first met them at their 10-year anniversary event held at the Flying Bridge while working for a local State Senator. I was drawn both personally and professionally to the collaborative approach to prevent youth substance use, and I’ve served on the Board of Directors of NCPC since 2003. Having grown up in the chaos of drug-using parents, I made the choice to never partake in alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs, and at 45 years old, my resolution is stronger than ever.

There is both good news and bad news when it comes to youth substance use today. First the good news –despite headlines implying otherwise, the number of teens reporting NO use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other drugs has actually been increasing, with over 2/3 of high school juniors in our region reporting no use in their lifetime.

media and electronic payment, substances are a few clicks away, typcially from friends or associates, and may be laced with fentanyl. The days of ‘youthful experimentation’ have turned deadly.

In 2020, NCPC adopted the ‘One Choice’ initiative based on national research conducted by the Institute for Behavior and Health. After analyzing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for teens ages 12-17, they documented that teens who use any one substance were significantly more likely to use another. “One Choice” was created to have a clear, consistent, and accurate prevention message for youth – the choice to avoid ALL substance use is possible, promotes healthy brain development, and dramatically reduces ones chance of developing a substance use disorder.

In addition to being the recipients of prevention messages, NCPC helps young people become advocates. One of the most impactful aspects of serving on NCPC’s Board is engaging with young people who are not simply making a choice to be drug free, but who are actively involved in improving their communities.

Every April 20, NCPC sponsors a 420 Remix –Celebration of Sober and Drug Free Life Choices PSA contest for middle and high school students in San Diego County. This provides young people an opportunity to inspire their peers to avoid substance use. Winners have been featured on local billboards and in movie theaters.

The bad news – and unfortunately tragic news for too many families – is that drugs have never been as deadly and easy to get as they are today. With social

NCPC teen volunteers have also hosted community forums, written op-eds to local media outlets, spoken at council meetings, and been interviewed by media outlets.

But youth grow up in the environment that adults create. As the push to legalize and commercialize various psychoactive substances continues to flourish, we risk rolling back decades of progress. The declines in youth substance use took collective action, commitment, resources and agreement that preventing youth access to alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other illicit drugs was a priority.

Until we look upstream to ensure policies don’t lead young people down a path of easy access to substances, including marijuana, I fear we will continue to suffer senseless tragedies.

For more information about North Coastal Prevention Coalition visit: https:// northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org.

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