Drug Free Duval Parents Make the Difference…

DFD – Who We Are Substance Abuse PREVENTION Coalition In simplest terms, a coalition is a group of individuals and/or organizations with a common interest who agree to work together toward a common goal.

DFD – Who We Are Mission and Vision Statements Vision: Freedom from alcohol and substance abuse for all residents of Duval County. Mission: To prevent and reduce the use and abuse of multiple drugs amongst youth and adults utilizing data and evidence-based strategies and link citizens, neighborhoods, programs, education and public awareness to produce a Safe and Healthy Duval.

DFD – Issues That Concern Us A few data points to ponder about our YOUTH Alcohol: 32.6% of our high school students & nearly 13% of our middle school students reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. (YRBS 2013 and FYSAS 2012) Marijuana: 16.5% of our high school students report using marijuana in the last 30 days…a 38.7% increase from the 2006 rate. (FYSAS 2012) Marijuana: Nearly 18% of our middle & high school students report “there is a good chance of being seen as cool” if they smoke weed, exceeding the state average by 18%. (FYSAS 2012) Illegal drugs: 31.2% of our high school students were either sold, offered or given an illegal drug by someone on school property. (YRBS 2013)

DFD – Drugs and Alcohol Use and Youth A few consequences Teens who use alcohol have a 50% higher rate of alcoholism during their lifetimes. (NIDA 2012) Use of any drug during adolescence interferes with the pruning process & impacts brain development (NIMH 2013) Use of marijuana by teens rewires the brain permanently leading to memory & processing disorders (NIDA 2013) There is an average 8 point drop in IQ for marijuana users who begin using by age 14 and use on average 1 x per week (Duke 2013) Use of marijuana by teens is linked to early-onset mental illness (Hall, W 2009)

DFD – Issues That Concern Us A few data points about our kids’ behavior In 2013, 27.6% of high school students & 24.5% of middle school students report getting into the car with an alcohol-impaired driver at the wheel, and nearly 10% reported driving while intoxicated. (YRBS 2013) The perception of harm of using marijuana & driving while high is steadily decreasing (HIDTA 2013) In 2010, 1,056 auto accidents in Duval County were alcohol-related (FLSMV 2010) In 2013, nearly 65% of all teen court referrals tested positive for marijuana use. (Teen Court 2013)

SO WHAT CAN WE DO? WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Good news…with consistent environmental strategies, prevention can work… Are we making an impact? Current alcohol use by teens (FYSAS) Binge Drinking by teens (FYSAS) Perceive Risk of daily alcohol use (FYSAS) Seen as cool if drink regularly (FYSAS) 10% reduction in 30-day reported use! 24% reduction! Nearly 2% increase! More than 9% decrease!

Where are we falling short? What are areas that we have not had success? Current marijuana use by middle- school students (FYSAS) Current marijuana use by high- school students (FYSAS) Usual drinking location for current HS drinkers 2012 (FYSAS) MS and HS students in Duval who reported being drunk or high at school 2012 (FYSAS) 41% increase in 30-day reported use from 7.6% to 10.7% 10% increase in 30-day reported use from 29.7% to 32.7% 77.2% at their own home, or home of a friend 12.8% - which is 14% higher than the state of Fl average

Your children need YOU! Research shows that the number one deterrent to teen alcohol and drug use is YOU! (CASA 2009) Parental behavior influences teens behavior with teens who have seen their parents drunk or high 33% more likely to get drunk or high (NSAA XIV)

Your children need YOU! Engage…You have the power to influence your teen… How? Meaningful conversations anytime, anywhere Provide consistent and positive text messages Get to know their friends, social media postings Demonstrate choices for fun that avoid alcohol & drugs Role play situations regularly Give your teen escape routes Encourage teens to find their “natural high”

Your children need YOU! Right now…get out your PHONES and text and the message “DUVAL” We will send regular text messages that you can forward on to your teen. Take the parent pack…read…understand the impact of drinking on the BRAIN. Use the conversation starters. Inspire your teen to SOAR in his strengths…let’s raise a generation that finds their natural high!

Talk About It. Be About It. BE BRAVE ENOUGH.