Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 14, 2012)
vernonia prevention coalition august14 2012 15 The content on this page is provided by the Vernonia Prevention Coalition Be a Piece of the Puzzle: By DeAnna Pearl Drug use, misuse, abuse and dependence are a prob- lem that involves communities as much as it does individual users. The family unit is impacted by increasing stress, crime and significant health problems. Unfortunately, the economic impact to a community can be just as damaging: increased property crime, mail theft, RX theft, personal theft, increased po- lice presence, emergency call volume, vandalism, community discord, and de- creased personal and rental property val- ues. Fatalities related to drug abuse may also affect a community with regards to deaths stemming from violent crimes by substance abusers and or the overdoses affecting drug users themselves. Regrettably, a death of a young person, by accident or suicide, greatly impacts their social circle, school envi- ronment and the many mentors whom have spent time with them. The com- munity is left with, guilt, anger, disbe- lief and questions about fault. Parents are left to speak to their children about an unthinkable outcome resulting from a lapse of judgment. School staff is left to wonder what they could have done in class to help the victims’ make differ- ent choices. Police are left to figure out what led up to the incidents. Commu- nity members are left to wonder how this happened in their town. Sadly each year, drug abuse and addiction cost taxpayers nearly $534 billion in preventable health care, law enforcement, crime, and other costs. Ac- cording to NIDA (National Institution on Drug Abuse), the key word in this as- sessment is “preventable.” The best ap- proach to reducing the tremendous toll substance abuse exacts from individuals, families, and communities is to prevent the damage before it occurs. Prevention is the most cost-effective. Research has demonstrated that research-based drug abuse preven- tion programs are cost-effective. Each dollar invested in prevention achieves National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press 1 Collective Impact of Drug Use, Misuse, Abuse & Dependence a savings of up to $7 in areas such as substance abuse treatment and criminal justice system costs, not to mention their wider impact on the trajectory of young lives and their families. For the great- est impact, prevention efforts need to be focused between 3-8th grade. Prevention programming is an important means by which members of a community can instruct others about the pitfalls of using drugs. These pro- grams are designed to reduce risk fac- tors within a community by encouraging partnerships: by parents with children, by policymakers with parents, by educa- tors with students and even by children with their peers. Children who belong to households in which a parent or family member is dependent on drugs are often encouraged by these prevention pro- grams to make informed and indepen- dent decisions, serving to guard them against imitating the mistakes of such adults. However, this takes a commu- nity--wide response for long term solu- tions. Prevention practices have to be consistent but it comes in many forms engaging more than just police, city gov- ernment and schools. Changing the cul- tural context on substance abuse could mean having to open an honest discus- sions with community leaders, parents, youth, faith based, business owners, civ- ic organizations, youth serving organiza- tions, health professionals, etc. The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Con- trol Policy (ONDCP) defines a commu- nity response to support an environmen- tal strategy of prevention. This strategy limits access to substances, changes the culture and context within which deci- sions about substances are made and reduce the prevalence of negative con- sequences associated with substance abuse such as but not limited to: Un- derage Drinking (UAD), DUII, buzzed and drunk driving, sexual assault, theft, school dropout, physical abuse, unwant- ed pregnancy, bullying, gang activity, suicide, overdose and death. Want to know what you can do to help achieve change in our communi- ty? Here are some proven strategies. You can start at home. Work small and begin to network with families you know and community leaders to keep all of our Vernonia youth safe and free of alcohol and drugs. Seven Strategies to Achieve Community Change Gather information – Down load edu- cational presentations, workshops or seminars or other presentations of data. Pick up brochures and pamphlets ad- dressing issues like teen substance abuse and prevention. Enhancing skills – Participate in work- shops, seminars or other activities de- signed to increase the skills of parents and caregivers. Providing support -- Create opportu- nities to support people in your network and community organizations. Encour- age other parents and families to attend family friendly events in your commu- nity. Enhance access/reducing barriers - Creating options and opportunities for our youth to make healthy social choic- es. Volunteer with community organiza- tions, churches and outreach facilities to host safe and healthy out of school ac- tivities. Changing consequences (incentives/ disincentives) - Let our youth know the consequences before they make their choices. Reward good behavior. Support and follow through with consequences. Physical design - Changing the physical design or structure of your environment. Limit access to alcohol (and prescrip- tion drugs) in your home and ask other families to do the same. Place signage in parks and public meeting spaces noting ATOD free ordinances. Modifying/changing policies - Know your local laws, school policies and state laws. Talk to community leaders about enforcing and strengthening our laws to help keep kids safe. Currently neither Columbia County nor the City of Vernonia, has a social hosting ordinance to hold land- lords, home owners or property owners accountable for gatherings, which attract minors, when something goes wrong: ie contributing to a minor, overdose or death of a child. These types of ordi- nances are not to deter regular gather- ings, monitored by responsible adults, from occurring. But they are to hold people accountable for gatherings, pri- vate or public for knowingly contribut- ing to minors other than their own. While, it is hard to believe that an adult would provide a space for a mi- nor and friends to experiment with drugs and alcohol, it is not hard to understand the tragic outcome when it does happen. Who is responsible? WE ALL ARE if we do not learn from this all too common occurrence and hold people accountable: starting with ourselves. The Vernonia Prevention Coalition works with like minded individuals whom are addressing these and other issues. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 3pm in the Vernonia Community Learning Center. If you are interested in finding out how you can help, contact DeAnna Pearl at (503) 369-7370 or email her at DeAn- na@vernonia-or.gov.
