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 National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse

7,800 Placer 9 th & 11 th graders surveyed California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) Placer County Youth Surveys What Placer Youth Have Said

Underage Drinking 10% of 9 th graders and 22% of 11 th graders had binged in the last 30 days (5 or more drinks in a row) more than half (52%) of 11 th 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 11 th graders had used a prescription painkiller  10% of Placer 11 th graders had taken a prescription medicine without a doctor’s order in the last 30 days  11% of 9 th graders and 14% of 11 th graders had used an over the counter medicine to get high or stoned

Placer County Youth Student Surveys

Ease of Access Placer County 11 th 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

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 Norms Community 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. Community 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 11 th 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. 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

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

Children who learn about drug risks from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use alcohol

Take a S ecure medicines and alcohol in your home T alk with your teens about the dangers of alcohol and drugs A ssure alcohol and other drugs are not available at teen parties N etwork with other parents D rug test your teen Take a S ecure medicines and alcohol in your home T alk with your teens about the dangers of alcohol and drugs A ssure alcohol and other drugs are not available at teen parties N etwork with other parents D rug test your teen Take the Parent Pledge Join our efforts to reduce youth access to alcohol and prescription medications Join 1,000 Placer County parents enrolling in the responsible host database and make a commitment to not allow underage drinking in your home.

Secure Monitor Dispose Prescription (Rx) and Over the Counter (OTC) meds  11% of Placer County 11 th graders reported getting Rx or OTC medicines from their own home or home of another family member.  13% of 9 th graders and 27% of 11 th graders got Rx or OTC meds from another teen.  Compared with street drugs, teens say Rx/OTC medicines are easier to get and “safer”.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP S = SOLUTION S Join CPY’s efforts working to make Placer County a Drug Free Community for our youth.

Community Forums Raising awareness ♦ Sharing resources ♦ Networking World Cafe Underage Drinking Forum Fall 2011 Sierra College Spring 2012 Community Forums

4 EVENTS Over 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 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 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 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) Be an active participant Join our CPY Leadership Team