November 4, 2014 Partnership Meeting Minutes
Julia began the meeting with going over the goals of the assessment process.
Community Assessment Goals:
- Create community consensus about ATOD problems in the community
- Identify underlying factors that contribute to those problems
- Identify and analyze environmental, social, and individual factors that contribute to the problems
- Select actions that will address this specific community and will actually reduce the issues identified
- Establish baseline information to track the coalition’s progress
Looking at the Data
There were 4 groups each looking at data from a different domain. They had a list of risk and protective factors for that domain, data, and questions to help guide their review of the data.
Community Domain: Community Health and Wellness Survey (WRVthrives)
- The group noted that the perception in the community is that it is easy for teenagers to get alcohol and marijuana and that it is perceived to be easier for teens to get marijuana (33% and 41% respectively).
- The group discussed how laws are unclear or not enforced.
- 75% of community members stated that alcohol is a central part of social activities sometimes or most of the time and 48% stated that marijuana is a central part of social activities sometimes or most of the time. The group noted that normal use in the community encourages use among young people.
- More community members think there is a problem with people using prescription drugs not prescribed to them (58%) than think there is a “marijuana problem” (22%) or an “alcohol problem” (32%) in their community. The group discussed how there is a perception that prescription drugs are widely abused and they are not. The perception might be due to all of the media attention related to the issue. It is still a significant concern, and rising issue that the community seems ready to address. At the same time, the issue of alcohol and marijuana use seems to be diminished.
- The group discussed the need for more opportunities for community involvement and community service opportunities available for youth.
- It was also noted that 76% of the community think there are mental health issues in their community.
School Domain: School discipline and school climate data (2013-2014 school year) from the principle’s report to the school board and some YRBS 2013 data.
- The most violations in school were for tobacco with marijuana second and prescription drugs third. Violations for all three substances increased significantly from the previous school year.
- There were no alcohol violations last school year. The group thought that alcohol use is probably taking place outside of school.
- The group noted that the majority of students have a positive attitude toward school with 81% stating that they really want to learn and 77% respecting teachers and staff.
- The group felt that it was a concern that only 50% of students stated that they feel proud of their school (this is the lowest percent in 4 years) and that 48% of students stated on the YRBS that they thought teachers really care about them (this is statistically lower than the state’s 62%). Also concerning is the 31% of students who said they help decide what goes on in school (this is statistically lower than the state’s 47%).
- The group was curious about what students were thinking when they responded to the question about feeling safe at school (65% feel safe).
- The group noted that almost all protective factors were addressed by the school, and that some of the risk factors were risks at LGUHS.
Peer/Individual Domain: Middle School and High School Core Measures Surveys (WRVthrives) and some 2013 YRBS data
- The perception of harm by peers for using alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs are all lower for high school students compared to middle school students. The perception of harm for the use of tobacco was the same (90% said wrong or very wrong). For high school students the lowest perception of harm by peers was in smoking marijuana (about 71%) with alcohol coming in a close second (79%). Middle school peers perception of harm was highest for prescription drug miss use (96%) with the other 3 substances all around 90%.
- High school and middle school student’s perception that people risk harming themselves by smoking marijuana is significantly lower (55% and 74% moderate-great risk respectively) than their perception of risk for people smoking cigarettes (~82% and 87%moderate-great risk respectively), misusing prescription drugs (~82% and 85%moderate-great risk respectively), or drinking alcohol regularly (~72% and 88% moderate-great risk respectively).
- The group’s discussion regarding these data points brought them to believe that high school students face more peer pressures than middle school students.
- The group discussed the importance of protective factors including positive family role modeling and students being involved in activities like sports. It was noted that the school has a very strict policy prohibiting students from using substances and that consequences for use are much lower when students self-report.
- For both middle and high school students, 24% stated that a parent or care giver has NEVER talked to them about prescription drug misuse; 28% of middle school students and 21% of high school students said often.
Family Domain: Survey of parents with children in grades 6-9 (WRVthrives)
- Most parents reported talking to their kids about alcohol use (34% 2-3 times, 22% 4-5 times, and 31% 6 or more times in the last 12 months).
- 84% of parents said they always know what their child is doing after school.
- There were parents that reported a risk of their child having access to alcohol in their home without the parent’s knowledge (16%). 13% of parents know other parents that host parties where alcohol is available to teens and another 13% were unsure. The group noted that these issues could lead more kids to having access to alcohol.
- 16% of parents think it is ok for youth ages 17 to 20 to drink alcohol.
- 68% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that underage drinking is a problem and 81% believe that it is not a waste of time to talk to their child about underage drinking.
- Most parents call to verify that a parent or responsible adult will be present at social events (94%).
- The group noted that 73% of parents said that they spoke to their child “a few times” about prescription drug misuse being dangerous and unacceptable.
- A third of parents have NOT heard information about how parents can help prevent underage drinking or prescription drug misuse. Most parents who had heard information got it from the television or radio. The group questioned how best to reach out to parents?
Community Forum – November 20th, 6:00pm at Calvary Chapel
- Anyone willing to help plan this event contact Julia at 365-4700 or wrvtdirector@gmail.com