January Newsletter

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The annual Monitoring the Future survey, which has tracked national substance use

among U.S. adolescents every year since 1975 for 12th grade students and since 1991 for 8th and 10th grade students, released data last month in regards to nicotine, cannabis, prescription drugs, and other harmful substances.

According to the press release, increases in adolescent vaping from 2017 to 2018 were the largest ever recorded in the past 43 years for any adolescent substance use outcome in the U.S. The percentage of 12th grade students who reported vaping nicotine in the past 30 days nearly doubled, rising from 11% to 21%. In addition, Cannabis vaping also increased from 4.9% in 2017 to 7.5% in 2018. Richard Miech, the lead author and principal investigator of the study, stated that “Vaping is reversing hard-fought declines in the number of adolescents who use nicotine."

To read more of the Monitoring the Future Press Release and data tables, click here.

With the new year brings new opportunities for youth in our community. In December, students from La Center and all around Clark County attended a "Use Your Voice" advocacy training in Washougal. This training was led by other youth in Clark County who have advocated at the local, state, and federal level. The training not only taught youth about advocacy but also gave them the opportunity to hear from Representative Paul Harris.

This workshop was meant to prepare students to attend the National Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. in February. This 4-day conference provides more training and allows the youth to educate policymakers in Congress about the importance of substance use and misuse prevention. In addition, later in the month, students will have another opportunity to travel to Olympia to talk to State Representatives for Prevention Policy Day.

To learn more information or get involved, contact Angela Johnson at angela.johnson@esd112.org

Coalition Meeting: New Year, New Ideas

January 10th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm

K-8 Library

Parent Project

January 24th from 5:30 to 9:00 pm

10 weekly sessions, every Thursday

La Center HS, RM 126

Register: nancy.parry@esd112.org

It's Not Just Vaping: Trends Gaining Steam Among Youth in Clark County

January 30th from 3:30 to 5:00 pm

ESD 112 Conference Center

Vancouver, WA

Coalition Meeting: Truth Among the Vapors

February 14th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm

K-8 Library

Our Mission

Inspiring our community to be safe, healthy and resilient; Preventing destructive behavior through open access to education and environmental strategies; supporting those in need, sharing ideas and offering help

Our Vision

A healthy and resilient community for youth and families

Email: lacenterunited@gmail.com
Website: lacenterunited.org
Location: 111 E 5th St, La Center, WA 98629
Phone: 360-952-3488
Facebook: facebook.com/lacenterunited/