Texas Community Futures Forum 2004

Issue: Substance Abuse

Work Group Names: Shirley Long, Ronda Alexander, Joan Gray-Sonia

Region: North

Section 1. Relevance

Where did this issue surface?
Texas Community Futures Forum

What is the issue/problem?
Increased use of substance abuse (tobacco, alcohol, and drugs)

Problem size and scope? (How many people does it affect? How wide spread?)
64% of high school students have tried smoking at least once, and 28% are current smokers. According to Weekly Reader, National Survey on Drugs and Drinking, more than half of 6th graders reported peer pressure to dink beer, wine, or liquor. One out of every three sixth graders said they were pressured to use marijuana.

Problem severity? (How serious is this issue?) High

Description: 66% of the counties in the North Region identified substance abuse as an issue in their county.

Target Audience? (Who does the problem impact and how many?)
Grades 3 and up

What are some general characteristics of the audience this program targets?
Youth observing modeled behavior by significant adult role models, peer pressure, low self-esteem, "perceived personal immunity." Market health benefits, focus on positive role models, cost savings, increase self-worth, perceived long term benefits

Section 2. Response

State the goal of the program
Goal: Reduce the number of youth involved with substance abuse (tobacco, alcohol, drugs)

Client Change	At the end of this program, will....
Knowledge	increase knowledge on... -------the ill effects of substance abuse; -------the health benefits of staying substance free.
Skills	develop skills.... -------refusal skills, -------good decision making skills
Attitude	change their attitudes pertaining to... -------"Perceived personal immunity"; -------acceptance of peers; -------"reframing the acceptance of societal attitudes of recreational drug use (tobacco, alcohol) as harmful drugs
Behavior Change	adopt.... -------refusal skills -------healthy life style
Best Practice	adopt ..... -------reject use of any recreational drug or inappropriate use of any drug

Listed below are some educational design ideas that could be used to address this issue.

Topic (Subject Matter)	Strategy to deliver content	Existing Resource(s)	Contact Person(s)
Keeping kids healthy	Short course; workshop; newsletter; curriculum enrichment; 4-H program	Health Rocks curriculum from National 4-H council
Oh the pressure	"-----------------------------"
The media speaker	"-----------------------------"
You choose	"-----------------------------"
Stress commitment to care	"-----------------------------"
"Perceived Personal Immunity" Volunteer training	Simulation Activity	Shattered Dreams	Terri Miller, FCS specialist EMS and or DPS
Refusal skills	Short course; workshop; newsletter; curriculum enrichment; 4-H program	Refusal skills through Educational Service Center	Health education through educational service center
Self-Esteem	Curriculum enrichment	It's Up to Me Curriculum
Volunteer Training			Angela Burkham
Marketing			Gayle Hall
Substance Abuse Awareness	One Shot Programs	MADD	Brad Davis, 4-H specialist

Results

No evaluation questions at this time.

Data Summit Results