Transcript Slide 1

Portage Community
“Call to Action” Meeting
09.22.08
Kalamazoo County
Substance Abuse Task Force
The Task Force is a dedicated group of community members
that develop strategies, programs, and practices to address
alcohol and substance abuse issues in our community.
This effort involves reducing access to substances, preventing
high-risk behaviors, promoting community awareness,
connecting community resources and providing education.
Why Are We Here?
The goal of the “Call to Action” meeting is to alert and
empower the community on youth alcohol and substance
abuse issues. In order to fight back against substance abuse,
the community needs to work together.
Our Voice. Our Community. Our Opportunity.
Task Force History & Background
The efforts of the Task Force are funded by a Strategic Prevention
Framework/State Incentive Grant through the Michigan Office of
Drug Control Policy and Kalamazoo Community Mental Health &
Substance Abuse Services.
The Task Force has been working for
over 18 months gathering local data
and assessing community needs.
What is the Identified Need?
“At least 22% of Michigan students have
smoked, drank alcohol, or tried
marijuana by age ten.”
– Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005
“Children who begin drinking alcohol
“43% of Michigan students
said they had at least one drink
of alcohol on one or more of
the past 30 days.”
– Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007
before the age of 15 are 5 times more
likely than those who start after age
21 to develop alcohol problems.”
- National Survey on Drug Use and
Health Report, 10.22.04
West Michigan Regional Data
• 13% of 12th graders reported having sold illegal
drugs
• 18% of 12th graders reported having been drunk or
high at school
• 1/3 of students said getting alcohol or marijuana
was “very easy”
Source: Michigan Substance Abuse Risk and Protective Factors
2000/2001 Student Survey: Western Region Results
Local Alcohol Statistics
• 410 alcohol-involved traffic crashes occurred in Kalamazoo County
in 2004.
(Michigan Office of Highway Safety and Planning)
• 25% of students have ridden in a vehicle one or more times in the
past 30 days that was driven by someone who had been drinking
alcohol.
(Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005)
• Kalamazoo County’s rate of injuries from alcohol-involved traffic
crashes is 85% higher than the state average.
(17.8 per 10,000 in Kalamazoo vs. 9.6 per 10,000 statewide, Michigan Office
of Highway Safety Planning)
What puts youth most at risk and what is most
likely to protect them?
Three greatest factors for youth high risk behaviors:
1. Perceived availability of drugs and handguns
2. Little commitment to school
3. Poor discipline (family)
Three factors most likely to protect youth from high risk behaviors:
1. Opportunities for positive involvement (school)
2. Attachment (family)
3. Opportunities for positive involvement (family)
Source: Michigan Substance Abuse Risk and Protective
Factors 2000/2001 Student Survey: Western Region Results
Who Should Be Involved?
The Task Force is a collaboration of diverse community
stakeholders including:
•
Treatment & Prevention Specialists •
Parents/Youth
•
Public Officials
•
Medical Professionals
•
Faith-based Organizations
•
Law Enforcement
•
Business Owners
•
Teachers
•
Community-based Organizations
•
School Administrators
•
Concerned Citizens
•
Court Officials
Task Force Subcommittees
Access to
Alcohol and
Other Drugs
Policy &
Enforcement
TASK
FORCE
Social
Marketing
Youth &
Family
Services
Task Force Subcommittees
• Align community
services with identified
needs
Develop positive
relationships with
Access •to Guide the development
local retailers
and bar
Alcohol and
and implementation
of
owners
Other Drugs
Provide
research and
social• marketing
• Develop a continuum of
• Vendor
& retailer
education
regarding
campaigns
services ranging from
education
current
policy and
primary prevention
• Define appropriate
• Addressefforts
socialand
norms
enforcement
through treatment
marketing
strategies
forunderage
regarding
Policy
&
Youth
&
critical
community
TASK
which includes
identifiedFamily
target
Enforcement
needsdrinking and
strategies
targeting
FORCEaudiences
substance abuse
Services
peers/youth, family,
• Compliance checks
schools, and the
• Advocacy efforts
community
• Expand and leverage
resources to address
unmet needs
• Serve as community
liaison in regard to
substance abuse issues
•
Social
Marketing
•
Substance Abuse Community Forum
Help youth feel
July 28, 2008
comfortable reporting
drug use/sales
• Increase enforcement
in schools
• Drug treatment
programs vs.
incarceration
• More cooperation
between law
enforcement agencies
• More after school activities
• Implement structured
parenting programs
• Develop a community plan
• Use evidence-based programs
• Early prevention from age 5
• School assemblies with guest
speakers
• Youth must be a part of the
solution
• Increase options for
youth under 17
• Use evidence-based
programs
• Early identification
Portage Strategy Team Meeting
When:
Monday, October 6
Time:
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Where:
Portage Fire Station #1
7830 Shaver Rd.
Margaret O’Brien – Portage Parent
Dawn Wagner – Portage Central PTO
Indicators of Alcohol/Drug Abuse
•
Lack of
motivation/concentration
•
School attendance problems/Drop
in grades
•
Frequent irritability
•
Quitting/Getting fired from a job
•
“I don’t care” attitude
•
New friends with no last names
•
Unexplained mood swings
•
Lying/Secretive cell phone use
•
Eye drops
•
•
Mouthwash/Breath spray
Spending more time in
room/away from home
•
Burning incense/room
deodorizers
•
Tantrums over seemingly minor
issues
•
Red eyes/Dilated pupils
•
Verbal/Physical abuse toward
parents, siblings, property
•
Changes in sleep/eating
patterns
•
Increased need for money or
unexplained expenditures
Adapted from No
Alcohol No Drugs
Task Force, Fort
Wayne, IN
Five A’s for Parents
Be AWARE of their attitudes.
Be ALERT to their environments.
Be AROUND their activities.
Be ASSERTIVE in your parenting.
Be AWAKE when they come home.
Adapted from No Alcohol No Drugs Task Force, Fort Wayne, IN
What Parents Can Do
Love as a parent, not a friend.
Curfews work – enforce them.
Set rules – voice them, follow them.
Resist being swayed by what other parents may be
doing.
 Model responsible substance use in your home –
our kids are watching us.
 If you think your child might be drinking or using
drugs, they probably are. Address it now
 Understand that good kids sometimes make poor
choices




Adapted from: FACE, Truth and Clarity on Alcohol 2004
What Parents Can Do Now
 Refuse to purchase alcohol or tobacco for young people who are
underage.
 Prohibit youth access to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs in your home
or on your property.
 Give your child the reasons for not using alcohol or other drugs.
Ex.:
“I love you and I want to protect you.”
“Using alcohol or other drugs is risky and will get in the
way of achieving your goals.”
“Your common sense will be diminished, putting you in
danger of physical/sexual assault and traffic accidents.”
 Support current efforts in your community in every way you can
including donating your time, money, or expertise. GET INVOLVED!
 Find out where treatment is offered in our community and how you can
support other families who need help NOW.
Adapted from FACE, Truth and Clarity on Alcohol 2004
Make “Family Day” Every Day!
S pend time with your kids by having dinner together
Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers
of drugs and alcohol
A nswer their questions and really listen to what they say
R ecognize that you have the power to help keep your kids
substance-free!
www.CASAFamilyDay.org
Thank You
For Your
Support!