TAC sent four students and two adults to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Youth Leadership Initiative conference in Indianapolis, IN. The conference was an opportunity for youth coalitions from all over the country to identify problems and potential solutions in their community. The conference was held from Monday August 3rd – Thursday August 6th.
“TAC has talked about sending students to a conference like this for a while,” Gracie Manlow, TAC Project Coordinator said. “The fact the students were able to get so much out of the conference is an added bonus.” The students were asked to identify a single problem statement for their community. Interestingly enough, the students from Raymond and South Bend High Schools, claimed underage marijuana use is the biggest problem within their community. “We weren’t exactly surprised that the students identify marijuana use as a big problem,” Manlow said. “Our data shows that youth perception is marijuana is ‘safe'. Students worked with CADCA mentors and experts to pinpoint specific causes and solutions for their community. Ideas included: increasing compliance checks, working with the local school districts on their current marijuana policy and informing the public on the dangers of underage marijuana use. Moving forward, the students plan to present their project at the annual Peer Helper Retreat and continue working. Hopefully the project will gain momentum and support from other students in the community. “Despite the fact the students are from different schools, they all did an amazing job coming together for a common cause: reducing underage marijuana use,” Manlow said.
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On July 16th, the Teen Advocacy Coalition and Sheriff Scott Johnson gathered at the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office to see a new addition outside the facility: a prescription drug collection box. The box, which is similar to a mail drop, will be available for anyone to securely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications year around, so that the community does not have to wait for the biannual community drug take-back events.
“We are very happy to be able to provide the prescription drop box as part of our Drug Free Communities grant,” stated Emily Popovich, board chair for the Teen Advocacy Coalition (TAC) of north Pacific County. “We also appreciate the collaboration with the Pacific County Sheriff’s department and Sheriff Johnson to be able to have a place to permanently place the drop box to give the community a safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs. “ According to Sheriff Johnson, research shows the abuse of prescription drugs is on the rise locally and throughout the country .The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. While there has been a marked decrease in the use of some illegal drugs like cocaine, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that nearly one-third of people age 12 and over who used drugs for the first time began by using a prescription drug non-medically. According to TAC chair Emily Popovich, some individuals who misuse prescription drugs, particularly teens, believe these substances are safer than illicit drugs. “This assumption stems from the fact that the drugs are prescribed by a healthcare professional,” Popovich said. “Students feel that if the drug comes from a pharmacy, it’s safe for anyone to use.” Having a regular drop-off site will, hopefully, prevent prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands, and reduce the supply of dangerous drugs in our communities. It also works as a deterrent to citizens from flushing medications down the toilet, as they can do harm to the water system. Also, through a partnership between the Pacific County Sheriff’s Department and the Lewis County Sherriff’s Department, all medications that are collected are secured by law enforcement and will be incinerated in an EPA approved incinerator. TAC’s efforts, along with local law enforcement, to keep prescription drugs out of the hands of youth and out of our environment is a result of building community partnerships and leveraging scarce resources in order to help keep our youth healthy and safe. The group believes that addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic is not only a top priority for public health, but it will also help build stronger communities and allow those with substance abuse disorders to lead healthier and more productive lives. TAC has partnered with Let’s Draw the Line, a state wide prevention effort, to support youth in making healthy choices and avoiding alcohol use. Through activities such as Substance Abuse Prevention Week, After Prom Party and Town Hall, TAC has provided local youth with safe alternatives to have fun.
These events are part of a statewide campaign to engage adults and youth in taking action to reduce underage drinking. The campaign (www.LetsDrawtheLine.org) is sponsored by the Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking. TAC is supporting ongoing statewide efforts to reduce underage drinking in Washington. In 2010, outdoor advertising restrictions went into effect statewide to reduce the amount of alcohol advertising youth see on neighborhood stores and near schools. Over the last five years, the number of alcohol ads seen by youth ages 12-20 has increased 41%, according to the Center for Alcohol Marketing and Youth. A 2006 study found that the more alcohol ads young people see, the more likely they are to drink. “Underage drinking is a major health concern in Washington”, Gracie Manlow, TAC Project Coordinator, said. “The good news is that our collective work working directly with youth and planning fun pro-social activities has been effective in preventing underage drinking.” Although alcohol is the primary drug of abuse among youth, the 2012 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey showed that 11,000 fewer students are using alcohol compared to 2010. Since 2008, about 20,000 more youth in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade report that their parents talked to them about not drinking alcohol. “We’re drawing the line because alcohol is especially harmful to the still-developing teen brain” Manlow said. “We want parents and other adults in our community to place a high priority on keeping alcohol away from teens.” TAC recently conducted a Community Assessment of Neighborhood Stores (CANS) survey as part of the Let’s Draw the Line campaign. Ten establishments from South Bend, Raymond, and Menlo were included in the survey. TAC found that local grocery stores in our area do not typically use alcohol or tobacco advertisements, whereas all convenience stores do to some degree. Of the ten establishments that were surveyed, TAC found that: 7 out of 10 stores surveyed included alcohol or tobacco advertising on the outside and inside of the store. 9 out of 10 stores sold high alcohol content drinks like Four Loko, Sparks, and Tilt. 4 of the 10 stores also sold glass pipes. 1 of the 10 stores sold “whip its”. With graduation just around the corner, it’s important to remember providing alcohol to minors is a gross misdemeanor, with a potential penalty of $5,000 and a year in jail (RCW 66.44.270). “Our mission at TAC is to provide youth with pro-social activities that reduce substance abuse,” Manlow said. “Ultimately, we want to ensure everyone is making healthy choices that will keep them safe.” On Friday May 8th, the Teen Advocacy Coalition, TAC, will be sponsoring their annual Town Hall at New Life Fellowship beginning at 5:00 p.m. This event is free and will feature a networking opportunity, dinner and a presentation by internationally renowned youth motivational speaker, Scott Backovich. All ages are encouraged to attend. Childcare and Spanish translation will be provided. The theme of this year’s Town Hall is “Building a Better Community.”
“A constant complaint from the teen population of Pacific County is the lack of activities available to them,” Gracie Manlow, TAC Project Coordinator said. “TAC aims to provide pro-social and safe alternatives that focus on students’ interests and hobbies.” This is the second Town Hall that TAC has sponsored. A requirement from the Drug Free Communities Grant, Town Hall events focus on starting community discussions about drug and alcohol prevention. “At Town Hall, our goal is get to the public thinking about underage substance use,” Manlow said. “It’s not always a pleasant conversation to have, but, as a community we need to be realistic about teen substance abuse.” A free dinner catered by Las Maracas will be available to all attendees. During this time, various non-profits and organizations from all over the county will set up informational booths. These booths will be available for teens and community members to find volunteer opportunities that cater directly to their interests. “TAC works hard to offer as many opportunities to our youth as possible,” Manlow said. “We want the students to know the whole community is rooting for their success.” The keynote address will be given by Scott Backovich. Backovich is an internationally renowned youth motivational speaker for the LA area. Prior to speaking at Town Hall, Backovich will give a presentation for each of three high schools. Backovich’s presentations will be focused on prevention, and, more specifically, the positive effects of community collaborations. “I saw Scott speak a few months ago and was completely blown away,” Manlow said. “For Scott, it’s not about talking at students; it’s about connecting with them where they are.” Town Hall 2015 is a free event open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend, ask questions and learn more about building a more sustainable community. “I hope that everyone will be able to attend Town Hall 2015,” Manlow said. “We’ve found that by working together as a community, we can change the future of our youth for the better.” On Saturday May 2nd, the Teen Advocacy Coalition, TAC, sponsored an After Prom Party at the Koplitz Field House. This event was free to anyone that attended prom. Activities included a photo booth, video games, a caricature artist and plenty of free snacks. Students had the opportunity to win raffle prizes which included a Kindle Fire, gift cards and a GoPro Camera System.
“We started planning for the party back in December,” Gracie Manlow, TAC Project Coordinator, said. “Several students were involved with the brainstorming and implementation of the event.” Students that did not attend the prom were also invited to participate. By volunteering their time at the event, the underclassmen were invited to participate in the activities and enter the raffle for prizes. “We wanted to make sure everyone was included in the event,” Manlow said. “Even if an upperclassman decided not to attend the prom, the still had the option to be included in the fun.” 26 student volunteers and 14 community members made the event a success. About 55 prom attendees took advantage of the free After Prom Party. The activities concluded around 1:30 a.m. Teen Advocacy Coalition sponsors a teen training with Miss Washington.
(RAYMOND, Wash. March, 2015) On Wednesday March 11th, TAC hosted a training opportunity for north Pacific County teens through the Miss Washington Scholarship Program. In partnership with the Education Service District, ESD, 113, the 2014 Miss Washington, Kailee Dunn, met with a group of nine students to teach them about Media Awareness. Specifically, how tobacco and alcohol are marketed towards youth. The high school students will take the information back their schools and present to their peers. “This is one of the first partnerships between TAC and ESD 113,” Gracie Manlow, TAC Project Coordinator said. “Hopefully we can continue to offer fun opportunities for the students with the help of ESD.” The students from TAC’s Youth Arm were invited on a first come, first serve basis. Miss Washington met the group of students at the Grays Harbor Riverview Campus. She presented an interactive PowerPoint, alerting them about the varying marketing strategies of big name tobacco and alcohol manufacturers. “Kailee was very down to earth and made her presentation engaging,” Manlow said. “She used personal anecdotes which made a powerful impact on the students.” Dunn’s presentation included commercials and magazine ads that are currently running in the media. The advertisements ranged from alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarettes and marijuana. Dunn explained that these major companies use varying tactics to entice emotional responses out of consumers. “When looking at beer advertisements, for example, terms like ‘loyalty’ and ‘dependable’ are tossed around,” Dunn said. “This is to create the connection that alcohol ties in friendship or relationships.” The students were broken up into groups and rehearsed a portion of Dunn’s presentation. Students have access to the resources and PowerPoint used by Dunn. Once the students felt confident enough, they were able to practice their presentation in front of Miss Washington. “Kailee was great with all the students,” Manlow said. “She gave constructive criticism and seemed very impressed with all of their progress in a short amount of time.” The trained youth will now have the opportunity to give the presentation at their respective schools. Unanimously, all the students decided this presentation would benefit their Substance Abuse Prevention Week in the spring. “We want to provide our youth with fun and exciting opportunities,” Manlow said. “If they can learn something valuable in the process, it’s an all-around win.” Teen Advocacy Coalition plans substance free after party.
The Teen Advocacy Coalition, TAC, is planning an After Prom Party for the three north county high schools. This gathering would happen directly after the Tri-District Prom on May 2nd. Any high school student who attends the prom is invited to the event. TAC’s Youth Arm has been meeting monthly to deliberate and brainstorm exciting ways to end the evening. This is the first time an event like this has been proposed in north Pacific County. Wellspring Community Network, located on the Peninsula, holds an after prom breakfast at The Lost Roo. After some discussion, TAC decided to bring idea to the Youth Arm. “Initially, we presented the proposal to our youth,” Gracie Manlow, TAC Project Coordinator said. “They were incredibly eager to being the planning process.” TAC’s monthly Youth Arm, which is open to any student in north Pacific County, has begun early brainstorming on the party. Students have been suggesting ideas that would be entertaining for everyone attending. Some of the activities include: karaoke, a bouncy house, carnival style games with prizes, and, of course, plenty of food. “When we suggested the idea of doing a candy bar, using plastic bags to fill with bulk candy, the students were ecstatic,” Tanya Schiller, TAC Administrative Assistant said. Some other suggestions thrown around by students were: pizza, breakfast burritos, fruit trays and tacos. At this point, TAC staff and youth are considering various locations to host the party. However, as an effort to keep all students as safe as possible, students attending the party must arrive in their prom attire and must stay for the duration of the event. “We know substance abuse is a problem after big events like prom or graduation,” Manlow said. “By giving the students a healthier option to socialize, we can reduce the amount of drinking and drug use in teens.” TAC will be funding the After Prom Party using their Drug Free Communities, DFC, Grant. In their 2nd year of the grant, TAC is hoping this event will spark interest in the coalition and provide a platform for other youth activities in the community. “Part of TAC’s mission is to “promote pro-social activities that will reduce substance abuse in teens’” Manlow said. “We want our youth to have a good time, but we also want them to stay safe. Now is the time to work together as a community to make it a reality.” Teen Advocacy Coalition calls upon local youth to brainstorm activities for the community.
The Teen Advocacy Coalition, TAC, held a Youth Arm Kickoff event on Monday January 26th at Raymond High School. This was the first meeting for the youth organization and students from Raymond, South Bend and Willapa Valley were invited to attend. The meeting consisted of brainstorming, event planning and plenty of free nachos. The main agenda items for the Youth Arm Kickoff were: Substance Abuse Prevention Week, An After Prom Party and a visit from Miss Washington. “These events are brand new to the community,” Gracie Manlow, TAC Project Coordinator said. “However, they are youth targeted events, so we definitely need their input.” The Substance Abuse Prevention Week is an event that was pitched at the 2014 Peer Helper Retreat. Students from Raymond and South Bend submitted a mini grant application requesting funds to host a Drug Free Week within their respective schools. Students and TAC staff discussed that this would be an effective opportunity to include all of north county in a fight against substance abuse. “Each year, TAC distributes a survey asking students to identify the biggest issues within their schools,” Tanya Schiller, TAC Administrative Assistant, said. “This year, there was an overwhelming response regarding drug and alcohol abuse.” Students at the Youth Arm meeting were suggesting various ways to implement interactive activities for their peers to get involved in during Prevention Week. The group decided that all three schools will need to be in sync with the events of the week. Each school would host the same spirit days, fact sheets and informative games about substance abuse. The week will be capped off with a tri-district assembly hosted by motivational speaker Scott Backovich. “Some of the students saw Scott Backovich at a Prevention Summit and were completely blown away,” Manlow said. “We are really excited to have him speak with our students.” TAC introduced the possibility of hosting an After Prom Party. This, of course, would happen after the tri-district prom and would be a special occasion for students to continue socializing and having fun late into the night. Some idea students threw around included a bouncy house, karaoke or various carnival games. Food and drinks would also be available during this supervised party. “The After Prom Party is something that has been extremely successful down in Long Beach,” Manlow said. “It’s a chance for students to continue having fun in a safe and substance free environment.” TAC staff informed students that, on behalf of the Educational Service District, ESD 113, Miss Washington would be visiting north Pacific County. Kailee Dunn, 2014 Miss Washington, will be in the area to create high school ambassadors that share in her cause: preventing substance marketing toward youth. Any interested students were asked to contact TAC Staff immediately. The meeting was concluded by TAC staff stating how thrilled they were to get this branch of TAC off the ground. “We are beyond excited the Youth Arm is happening,” Schiller said. “After all, we are here for the youth. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t exist.” Holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends. Most of us will be traveling out of town, out of state or even out of country to join our loved ones. In fact, AAA estimates that nearly 29 million Americans will hit in the road for the end of the year holidays. However, close to 28,000 Americans will be seriously injured due to car accidents; and roughly 250 people will die from injuries sustained during an accident.
This blog post isn't some statistical scare tactic, nor is it an opportunity to cite all the wrongdoings of Americans. This is simply a reminder that driving impaired is never a good idea; especially around the holidays. Remember, driving under the influence affects everyone on the road, not just the driver. Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when prepping for any holiday festivities: 1. If you're attending a party, make sure to always have a designated driver. Ensure your DD is someone who will uphold the responsibility. 2. Try to avoid driving at night, if possible. It's understandable that in some situations this task is unavoidable, but staying put for the night could be the safest option. 3. Put down your phone. Drivers are already distracted with kids, making early time and the party at the end of the tunnel. By adding phone use to the equation is creating even more of a risk. 4. Be wary of severe weather changes. In Washington, it tends to be pretty unlikely snow will fall; but, in the case that it does, drivers should be prepared with alternate routes and snow chains. 5. When in doubt, do not get behind the wheel. Even if you've only had a couple of drinks, avoid driving at all costs. As previously noted, impaired driving affects everyone on the roadway. Don't be a statistic that could end multiple lives. All in all, we at TAC want to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. We hope this blog was an informative reminder about the importance of driving cautiously. Be well and stay safe! Last week, TAC Staff attended the annual Tobacco-Free Alliance of Pierce County, or TAP, Summit. This was a great opportunity to learn more about how tobacco and tobacco products are affecting youth near our area. It's a given Tacoma is considerably bigger than all Pacific County put together, however, if youth in Pierce County are experimenting with e-cigarettes, there is a good chance it will soon become popular in our area. Some of you may be wondering, "what exactly is an 'e-cigarette'?" E-cigarette stands for electronic cigarette. These devices are made up of three basic components: a power source, typically a battery, an e-liquid that contains nicotine and atomizer (a device that emits liquid, as a fine spray. Think of how perfume works). Photos are courtesy of Dr. Lynne Dawkins. Within the e-cigarettes is something referred to as vapor or e-liquid. The components of these liquids are: propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, nicotine and flavoring. Research has shown that the nicotine levels can vary from 6-36 mg/l; and even though users can find nicotine free brands, tests are showing traces of nicotine can still be found within the vapor.
So, how do e-cigarettes affect youth? Well, the nearly 8,000 flavors are a good starting point. These flavors can range anywhere from caramel, cheesecake, gummy bear and even chocolate. Not to mention the 'smoke' that is formed from the device smells like candy. During a youth panel at the TAP Summit, it was revealed that students are using e-devices because adults cannot detect the smell of the candy scented vapor on their clothing. The marketing aspects of e-cigarettes are very similar to the marketing used for tobacco. According to the National Cancer Institute, there has been a 256% increase in e-cigarette advertising since 2011. It's not a secret that tobacco and nicotine companies find specific ways to target adolescents in their advertising. With themes like "sex and glamour", "freedom and rebellion" and even "fun and healthy", researchers are discovering 31% of youth think e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes. However, at least 50% of youth have yet to form an opinion regarding the dangers of e-cigarettes. At this point, there are only state and local regulations that are preventing 'sales' to minors. There are proposed FDA regulations that will prohibit all sales to minors, but for now, it is just a proposal. There isn't much information regarding the long term health risks around this emerging market. However, this doesn't mean there won't be any dangers and it definitely doesn't mean youth should be using them. These products are evolving in more ways than one; now is the time to start the discussion with youth regarding the hazards of e-cigarettes. Facts and research from this blog were on behalf of Dr. Jessica K. Pepper, Center for Regulatory Research on Tobacco Communication. University of North Carolina. |
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