Jane Ungemack, DrPH University of Connecticut Health Center Governor’s Prevention Initiative for Youth Evaluation Team Needs Assessment Training Session July 16, 1999 Overview of a Substance Abuse Prevention Needs Assessment

Presentation Overview Needs Assessment Overview Defining the Community Prevalence of Substance Use Target Populations

What is a Needs Assessment? Planning component What is the problem? –Level and type of substance use –Level of risk and protective factors What are the existing resources? Assess the gap between need and resources

Why Conduct a Needs Assessment? Sound planning leads to effective programming Provides the rationale for selecting a strategy Increases communication among key stakeholders Improves coordination of services Supports rational allocation of resources Promotes evaluation of program effectiveness Increase understanding of the substance problem

Who should be involved? Prevention providers School personnel Community leaders Parents Youth Police chiefs and officers Religious leaders Treatment providers Social service providers Health care providers Business and labor leaders Community coalition members Media representatives Concerned citizens

Steps in Conducting a Needs Assessment 1. Define the community 2. Assess the level of substance use 3. Identify population(s) at risk 4. Identify risk/protective factors 5. Identify community resources 6. Assess community readiness

Data Sources Survey data Public records/archival data Agency reports Key informants Observations

Define the Community Geographical –City or town –Neighborhood –Region –State Community of interest –Cultural –Special needs population

Describe the Community Demographic characteristics –population size –community type (urban/suburban/rural; ERG) –population breakdown by age, race or ethnicity –median income of families –other

Adolescent Substance Use Types of substances: –Alcohol –Tobacco –Marijuana –Inhalants –Other illicit drugs –Over-the-counter medications

Indicators of Substance Use Survey Prevalence Data –Lifetime, annual, and current use –Trends in use Social Indicator Data –Drug or alcohol-related arrests –Substance-related mortality –Substance-related morbidity –Substance abuse treatment admission rates

Recent substance use: A comparison of 1995 and 1997 rates among 7th-8th grade students statewide

Recent substance use: A comparison of 1995 and 1997 rates among 9th-12th grade students statewide

Recent Substance Use Among 7th-8th Grade Students in Three Communities

Social Indicators by Town

Binge drinking* in prior two weeks: Connecticut Valley Survey of Student Needs, 1998 * - Five or more drinks on a single occasion

Institute of Medicine Classification of Preventive Interventions Universal:General population Selective:Targeted high risk population Indicated:Targeted high risk individuals

Subgroup Differences in Substance Use Age Gender Racial/ethnic background Type of community Geographic location

High Risk Populations Children involved with Juvenile Justice System Dropouts/chronic truants Alternative school students Children of substance-abusing parents DCF-placed youth Youth who exhibit other problem behaviors

Lifetime use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and inhalants by grade

Percent of 9th-12th grade students statewide who report substance use during the past 30 days by gender

Recent cigarette, alcohol, marijuana and other illicit drug* use by race/ethnicity Grades 7-8 * Illicit drugs include cocaine, crack, hallucinogens, heroin, and PCP

Marijuana Use: 30-Day Prevalence Rates by Community Type and Grade, 1995

Substance Abuse Treatment Need: School-Based and School with Youth At-Risk Adjustment by Educational Reference Group, 9th - 12th Grade, 1995 High SES Suburban Communities Low SES Urban Communities

Substance Abuse Treatment Need: 1995 Connecticut Youth Samples