Palmer Drug Abuse Program

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A community plan of action

It is time for a change in Midland!

Goals for the Community Awareness & Education Campaign on the Effects of Underage Drinking & Adolescent Substance Abuse.

Coalition Goals: 2005 to 2010

To reduce current drug use (Past 30 Days)

                      GOAL              2008             2005               

Alcohol             27%                 31%                 37%

Cigarettes        10%                 15%                 23%

Smokeless         5%                   8%                 15%

To reduce future plan use

                        GOAL              2008              2005  

Alcohol              30%                 37%                40%

Cigarettes          5%                   8%                 12%

Smokeless          5%                   6%                 11%

To reduce driving while or after drinking

                                 GOAL           2008         2005         

Driving/ drinking        14%              21%           30%

To reduce drinking location from home        or friends home

                                    GOAL               2008               

Location                      20%                         36%   

             

This focused community awareness program will target both youth and adults.

Youth audiences will be divided into:

a) Youth 15 and up (zero tolerance for driving, social consequences of underage drinking)   

b) Youth 14 and below (social norms change, image)

Adult audiences will be divided into:

a) Adult providers (laws, consequences)     

b) Parents (communication, setting a positive example)

 

Goal #1          Reduce the number of youth who have drank alcohol in the past 30 days from 37% to 27%

Actions:

  • Education through school assemblies and classroom presentations
  • Community awareness through
    • Local newspapers, magazines and periodicals
    • Radio and Television
    • Movie theaters
    • Town Hall Meetings
  • Focused efforts during prom, red ribbon week, spring break and holidays

Goal # 2         Reduce the number of youth who have driven while or after drinking alcohol from 30% to 14%

Actions:

  • Contact local judges to seek recommendations for implementing additional education requirements for families whose child has been convicted of driving under the influence or any alcohol related citation
  • Strengthening current driver education programs
  • Education through school assemblies and classroom presentations
  • Community awareness through
    • Local newspapers, magazines and periodicals
    • Radio and Television
    • Movie theaters
    • Town Hall Meetings
  • Focused efforts during prom, red ribbon week, spring break and holidays

Goal #3          Reduce the number of youth who plan to use alcohol in the future from 40% to 30%

Actions:

  • Implement social norms change through student councils and other student groups
  • Provide media literacy training for youth and parents
  • Generate community awareness concerning marketing tactics focused toward minors
  • Education through school assemblies and classroom presentations

Goal #4          Generate awareness of the availability of family skills trainings in Midland

Actions:

  • Distribute a list of parent skills training available

Goal #5          Increase the opportunities for family communication concerning underage drinking, tobacco and drug abuse

Actions:

  • Create a family packet that includes age appropriate “talking points” concerning underage drinking, tobacco and drug abuse.
  • Utilize local students in the implementation of the family packet to provide adults with youth perspectives.
  • Make the family packet available on local community organization, church and business web sites.
  • Implement a business family awareness program that companies can provide for their employees.
  • Include awareness and talking points on psa’s and existing community events.
  • Distribute the family packet through PTA’s, Judges, Churches, and multiple community locations.

Goal #6          Support the Midland City Council Youth Advisory Board to examine local policies and issues which effect young people in Midland and provide recommendations for policy changes

Actions:

  • Provide training and assistance in reviewing local polices which effect young people
  • Provide resources to help young people understand environmental prevention through policy change

Goal #7          Create alcohol free safe zones for children and families at all community festivals and events.

Actions:

  • Study all community festivals and events for 12 months to discover the current trends
  • Make local policy recommendations to create alcohol free safe zones for families at all community festivals and events.

 Goals  #8        Eliminate opportunities for “beer runs” and illegal alcohol sales    to minors in retail establishments.

Actions:

  • Work with local retailers concerning alcohol placement
  • Work with law enforcement to continue compliance checks, shoulder taps and beverage server training

Goal #9          Reduce the number of adults illegally providing alcohol to minors.

Actions:

  • Increase community awareness about state laws concerning underage drinking
  • Educate adult about the effects of alcohol on the developing adolescent brain