Learn more about teen substance misuse at town halls this month
The Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Alliance, a community anti-drug coalition serving Randolph and Washington counties, is hosting town halls to involve more people in preventing teen drug misuse.
Join a discussion on how to prevent drug misuse, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22 in the Red Bud Elementary School cafeteria. Prior to the meeting, parents and other adults can participate in an In Plain Sight mock teen bedroom - an interactive display to increase awareness of how teens hide drugs.
There will also be a virtual town hall at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17. An online In Plain Sight resource will be shared. To participate, contact Dennis Trask, ComWell youth prevention coordinator at dtrask@comwell.us or (618) 954-0552.
The town halls follow six focus groups involving 50 adults and teens from around Washington and Randolph counties.
SISAA was recently presented with a Blue Ribbon Award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, honoring the group for effective work addressing teen use of alcohol with a parent communications campaign. There was an 8.3% decline in 10th grade use of alcohol and a 16.6% decline, according to data from surveys. The coalition is working to increase student participation in the next round of surveys to evaluate this information further.
"While we are very pleased with our progress to date, we are a long way from saying we have been successful in reducing teen alcohol use," Trask said. "We also need to update our efforts addressing teen use of marijuana and tobacco. Vaping is also a serious problem for our teens."
Trask said the alliance needs more help clarifying the local conditions contributing to drug misuse. "With that information, we can identify and make needed changes to our strategies. After that, we need higher rates of student survey participation to reach accurate conclusions."
The coalition has been implementing the Seven Strategies for Community Change, a national program. The seven strategies are:
Providing recovery and prevention information through In Plain Sight mock teen bedroom programs, health fairs, basketball games, community events, newspaper ads and stories as well as Facebook posts. The Recovery Committee Better Together (BTRG) updated and distributed a Randolph County resource guide. This work builds upon the efforts of the Randolph County Health Department, which created an earlier resource guide.
Enhancing Skills: Prevention lessons for area middle school and high school students. SISAA partners with Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in Washington County schools to promote prevention lessons. The coalition also provides programs at coalition meetings. SISAA volunteers also attend conferences and webinars.
Providing Support: BTRG develops partnerships for coordinated recovery support services. For example, ComWell created and hired a Recovery Navigator position through Recovery Corps Illinois. ComWell, Sparta Community Hospital and Washington County hospitals are working to integrate health planning, systems development and increase mental health services. ComWell and the Sparta School District are working to improve student mental health services. SISAA trained youth leaders at area high schools are encouraging their peers to talk with trusted adults about issues and providing drug free activities.
Enhancing Access/Reducing Barriers: BTRG is working to increase the ease, ability and opportunity to utilize recovery systems and services. This includes involving People with Lived Experience and promoting Recovery Oriented Community standards.
Changing Consequences (Incentives/Disincentives): SISAA wants to work with alcohol and tobacco retailers to address the teen belief that it is "easy" to get these drugs from stores. To promote recovery SISAA supports and promotes Drug Court services and developing education resources for inmates.
Physical Design: SISAA wants to work with community leaders to address the abundance of alcohol signs in our two counties that promote community and church events. Focus group participants have shared concerns that this contributes to high levels of acceptance of teen alcohol use by adults and teens.
Modifying/Changing Policies: Continue public policy efforts that urge communities to opt out of retail marijuana. Washington and Randolph counties as well as Evansville, Okawville, Nashville, Red Bud, Sparta and Steeleville have opted out. Opting out encourages no use attitudes among teens regarding marijuana use. The coalition is monitoring possible development of an adult use marijuana store in Chester.