Who should get involved and why ? Just a few of the reasons…
Schools, families, and communities have a role in reducing substance abuse among young people. Although the overall decline is encouraging, we must continue efforts to prevent and reduce underage alcohol use.
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Youth: Youth offer a unique perspective and when they advocate for change with peers their voice
Youth: Youth offer a unique perspective and when they advocate for change with peers their voicehas an impact.
•Parents: Substance abuse is a serious factor in the disintegration of the family. Resiliency research tells us that a strong moral compass is key to developing resilient young people. Family helps to build that moral compass
Parents: Substance abuse is a serious factor in the disintegration of the family. Resiliency research tells us that a strong moral compass is key to developing resilient young people. Family helps to build that moral compass•Public Health and Medical Personnel: Substance abuse is identified as one of the top three problems in most communities from both the health and public safety perspective.
Public Health and Medical Personnel: Substance abuse is identified as one of the top three problems in most communities from both the health and public safety perspective.•Faith based organizations: Resiliency research tells us that a strong moral compass is a key to developing resilient young people. Church helps to builds a moral compass. Faith based organizations have focused on the importance of developing a community that cares for and serves each other.
Faith based organizations: Resiliency research tells us that a strong moral compass is a key to developing resilient young people. Church helps to builds a moral compass. Faith based organizations have focused on the importance of developing a community that cares for and serves each other. •School Community: Involvement in school and community are essential for positive growth and development Educators can work within the school system to review current policies and programs and Identify challenges to support prevention
School Community: Involvement in school and community are essential for positive growth and development Educators can work within the school system to review current policies and programs and Identify challenges to support prevention •Local Government: Lending support to reducing substance abuse will increase health, safety and quality of life for all citizens in the county and expand the county’s appeal.
Local Government: Lending support to reducing substance abuse will increase health, safety and quality of life for all citizens in the county and expand the county’s appeal. •Law and Justice Community: Youth access to alcohol is a key issue in the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Collaboration strengthens community relationships, and opportunities to influence policy
Law and Justice Community: Youth access to alcohol is a key issue in the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Collaboration strengthens community relationships, and opportunities to influence policy•Social Services and Non-profits: Substance abuse underlies serious community problems, such as homelessness, poverty,
Social Services and Non-profits: Substance abuse underlies serious community problems, such as homelessness, poverty,unemployment, crime, teen pregnancy, domestic violence and juvenile delinquency. oAs partners, we can expand the quality and quantity of the community volunteer pool through
As partners, we can expand the quality and quantity of the community volunteer pool throughtraining and combined recruitment efforts.•Business Community:
Business Community:oOf the estimated 14.8 million substance abusers in the United States, 77 percent or 9.4 million
Of the estimated 14.8 million substance abusers in the United States, 77 percent or 9.4 million are employed. The average substance abusing employee operates at 67 percent of his/her potential is more likely to have absences of eight days or more, arrive late for work and/or leave early, file workers’ compensation and costly medical claims and change jobs frequently. Costs for these behaviors add up quickly for business.
•Media:
Media:oMedia can be instrumental in creating awareness and inspiring action in the community.
Media can be instrumental in creating awareness and inspiring action in the community. A well informed audience will make better and wiser decisions.
oMedia ultimately creates credibility and drives public opinion. Media empowers community
Media ultimately creates credibility and drives public opinion. Media empowers community members with knowledge and ideas and gives them a sense of ownership in the change process.
D.What is expected from the Waldo County Substance Abuse Prevention Project Committee?
What is expected from the Waldo County Substance Abuse Prevention Project Committee?a.Commitment to youth and young adults
Commitment to youth and young adultsb.Ongoing opportunities to share ideas and concerns via email
Ongoing opportunities to share ideas and concerns via emailc.Collaboration and networking opportunities
Collaboration and networking opportunitiesd.Development of a Substance Abuse Resource Guide
Development of a Substance Abuse Resource Guidee.Development of Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Rehabilitation printed materials, websites, media campaigns, etc.
Development of Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Rehabilitation printed materials, websites, media campaigns, etc.f.Help to name the newly formed committee
Help to name the newly formed committeeg.Other
OtherSubstance Abuse Prevention History in Waldo County
Healthy Waldo County
Are you the "U" missing in Comm__nity
History of Substance Abuse Prevention in Waldo County:
2002: Building Communities for Children/ One-ME Stand United for Prevention Coalition. The BCC received recognition by the Office of Substance Abuse as a One-Me Stand United for Prevention Coalition and received a grant to focus on underage drinking through a positive youth development strategy.
2004: Building Communities for Children members form Healthy Community Coalition.The Healthy Community Coalition forms with the intention of creating opportunities for “community dialogue” about conditions affecting health and develop plans for community improvement
2004-2005: Belfast Area Task Force on Substance Abuse formed. Jan Anderson led the Belfast Area Task Force on Substance Abuse to assess the extent of substance abuse problems and make recommendations to the City Council and the community about necessary actions.
2005 : Essential Prevention Services Grant received.The collaboration between the BCC and Waldo County Preschool & Family Services is selected by the Office of Substance Abuse for continued funding. BCC supports the submission of a grant application by the Waldo County Sheriff and Belfast PD for funds to adopt an underage drinking enforcement and strategy and adoption of a “model policy”.
2006: Comprehensive Community Health Coalition formed. A collaboration of BCC, WCPFS, WCCAP, WCYMCA and school representatives join together to develop a plan to create a Comprehensive Community Health Coalition in response to the offer by the State to expand the Healthy Maine Partnerships
2007: Healthy Maine Partnership/Substance Abuse Prevention Project Application A Planning Committee of community leaders from a variety of sectors including probation and parole, religious, business, school and medical backgrounds convened from January through June of 2007 to conduct an assessment (Strategic Planning and Environmental Programming) of substance abuse issues in Waldo County. Focus groups, surveys and interviews were conducted and “consumption patterns” problems were identified. These results were integrated into a plan that was presented to Healthy Maine Partnerships and a grant was awarded in July 2007.
Do you suspect that your child is using?
Starting a conversation with your child about his or her drug use is the most important step you can take in helping your child. While we know it's not an easy thing to do, preparing yourself for the conversation will help you stay calm and make the most of the conversation.
Do you want help on starting the conversation:
Health Concerns:
The human brain does not fully develop until after age 21. Early use of alcohol and/or misuse of prescription drugs can significantly harm an adolescents brain and the ability to make healthy decisions. Alcohol can cause changes in the structure and function of the developing brain. Early use of alcohol increases the risk of unintentional harm through: alcohol poisoning, unplanned sexual behavior, unintentional accidents and injury, carrying out or being a victim of physical or sexual assault, suicide or car crashes.
Youth who are taught problem solving skills are more likely to resist early experimentation. Youth who are taught how to deal with stress(without using alcohol and prescription drugs) can keep stress from taking over.
When You Put Youth First, The Results Last
Who should get involved and why ?
Just a few of the reasons…
Schools, families, and communities have a role in reducing substance abuse among young people. Although the overall decline is encouraging, we must continue efforts to prevent and reduce underage alcohol use.
Youth: Youth offer a unique perspective and when they advocate for change with peers their voice has an impact.
Parents: Substance abuse is a serious factor in the disintegration of the family. Resiliency research tells us that a strong moral compass is key to developing resilient young people. Family helps to build that moral compass
Public Health and Medical Personnel: Substance abuse is identified as one of the top three problems in most communities from both the health and public safety perspective.
Faith based organizations: Resiliency research tells us that a strong moral compass is a key to developing resilient young people. Church helps to builds a moral compass. Faith based organizations have focused on the importance of developing a community that cares for and serves each other.
School Community: Involvement in school and community are essential for positive growth and development. Educators can work within the school system to review current policies and programs and Identify challenges to support prevention.
Local Government: Lending support to reducing substance abuse will increase health, safety and quality of life for all citizens in the county and expand the county’s appeal.
Law and Justice Community: Youth access to alcohol is a key issue in the prevention of juvenile delinquency.Collaboration strengthens community relationships, and opportunities to influence policy.
Social Services and Non-profits: Substance abuse underlies serious community problems, such as homelessness, poverty, unemployment, crime, teen pregnancy, domestic violence and juvenile delinquency. As partners, we can expand the quality and quantity of the community volunteer pool through training and combined recruitment efforts.
unemployment, crime, teen pregnancy, domestic violence and juvenile delinquency. As partners, we can expand the quality and quantity of the community volunteer pool through training and combined recruitment efforts.Business Community: Of the estimated 14.8 million substance abusers in the United States, 77 percent or 9.4 million are employed. The average substance abusing employee operates at 67 percent of his/her potential is more likely to have absences of eight days or more, arrive late for work and/or leave early, file workers’ compensation and costly medical claims and change jobs frequently. Costs for these behaviors add up quickly for business.
Media: Media can be instrumental in creating awareness and inspiring action in the community. A well informed audience will make better and wiser decisions. Media ultimately creates credibility and drives public opinion. Media empowers community
members with knowledge and ideas and gives them a sense of ownership in the change process.
What is expected from the Waldo County Substance Abuse Prevention Project Committee?
Commitment to youth and young adults
Development of environmental strategies
Ongoing opportunities to share ideas and concerns via email
Collaboration and networking opportunities
Development of a Substance Abuse Resource Guide
Development of Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Rehabilitation printed materials, websites, media campaigns, etc.
HMP is a collaborative effort among 28 local coalitions, the Maine DHHS (Maine CDC and Office of Substance Abuse) and DOE, supported primarily by the Funds for Healthy Maine with federal grants from the US CDC, SAMHSA, and DOE.
