March Coalition News

A new student perspective survey is being offered March 8-26th to schools who serve students in Grades 6 to 12.

Topics on the COVID-19 Student Survey , include but are not limited to social support, remote learning experience, mental health, physical health, COVID-19 precautions, and substance use.

This survey does not replace the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) that will be administered in the fall of 2021; instead, it uniquely collects information from students about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Important details about the survey:

• Schools opt-in for the survey by registering at csswashington.org/register
• The survey will be administered on the day(s) of your choice between March 8, 2021 -March 26, 2021.
• The survey is available in English and Spanish
• The survey will be administered completely online and can be done in a school building or from wherever students are as they participate in remote learning. It is expected that the survey will be administered during a class period and will take up to 25 minutes to complete.
• Schools will receive survey results before the end of the ‘20-‘21 school year.

• Parent and student notification is at the discretion of each school, but it is recommended that they are notified about the survey prior to administration. Notifications are available in English and Spanish; see attachments.
• School can register for the survey until March 22nd!

Results from the survey may help teachers, school leaders, parents, community partners and policy leaders understand how they can better help meet the needs of their youth.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact: contact@csswashington.org or Emily.Maughan@k12.wa.us ; 360-725-6030

The Washington Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is codified in law as the official nonpartisan youth advisory body to the state legislature, and is now accepting applications for the 2021-2023 cohort.

Overseen by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and Washington State Leadership Board, LYAC is composed of 22 student members from a wide variety of geographic, political, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Some of LYAC’s several projects include:

• Meeting with senators and representatives to advocate for policies relevant to youth priorities;
• Testifying before the state legislature in support of legislation;
• Advising government officials, policymakers, and leaders in various fields;
• Collaborating with nearly 200 community organizations to promote statewide change;
• Hosting events around the state with hundreds of youth attendees;
• Talking with media outlets such as the Associated Press, Teen Vogue, and KING-5 about student voice;
• Partnering with government agencies such as the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Health to provide your perspective; and
• Writing, lobbying for, and passing actual laws.

LYAC members each serve a two-year term, during which they will be at the forefront of civic engagement and governmental progress. To learn more, visit walyac.org.

Applicants must:

• Be entering 9th, 10th, or 11th grade in Fall 2021
• Have consent of their parent or guardian
• Live in Washington State

The application page can be found at walyac.org. All applications must be submitted by March 31, 2021 at 11:59 PM. Please feel free to share the application information with youth you know who may be interested. If you have any questions, please contact lyacwashington@gmail.com or yubimamiya@gmail.com.

The Prevent Coalition Rural Network recently published a statewide report of Rural Healthy Youth Survey data. This is the first time this type of data has ever been collected, analyzed or reported on. The initial work began one year ago; however, due to Covid 19, the aggregators were unable to complete the second half of the report at that time. After a year of waiting, this unique data is now available to everyone.

The needs assessment was conducted by the Health Assessment and Evaluation (HAE) team of Clark County Public Health in partnership with Prevent Coalition. It analyzes the Washington State sample of data and compares rural versus non-rural survey questions from youth in schools across Washington. This is the second half of the program’s rural health assessment. To review the first half of the report please click here.

“We’re pleased to publish the Rural Healthy Youth Survey Data Report on behalf of the Rural Network,” explained Christopher Belisle, Community Prevention Project Coordinator. “It’s so important because we have never been able to pull out a rural sample and compare it to non-rural areas. Now, rural areas can use this sample to build their programs,” he added.

One takeaway from the report discovered that the biggest protective factor against rural youth marijuana use is a positive adult presence. For example, rural Washington 10th graders who have an adult they can turn to if they feel sad have a 2.7 times lower rate of current marijuana use. The report also found that the biggest risk factor for rural youth marijuana use is friend’s behaviors and attitudes toward drug use. Rural Washington 10th graders with close friends who have used marijuana have a 9.9 times higher rate of current marijuana use.

“This important data will be useful for coalitions, schools, and other organizations to help understand issues facing rural youth,” said Belisle. “It will also help to better understand how rural communities have unique circumstances when compared to their non-rural counterparts, and thus require dedicated support and interventions.”

Since access to rural health data is often limited, this aggregated data for the state of Washington is groundbreaking. The next steps are to build an online toolkit for rural communities to use for targeting and minimizing adolescent substance abuse.

The public is encouraged to get involved. Additional resources are located on the Prevent Coalition website as well as an online calendar of events. Please contact Christopher Belisle for additional information.

Click here to access the report.

Community prevention coalitions, law enforcement and several partnering organizations are holding a drug take back event at six sites in Clark and Skamania Counties on Saturday, April 24th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community members are encouraged to bring their unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for safe and free disposal to any one of the six event sites below. Prescription and over-the-counter medications including pills, liquids and inhalers will be accepted. Medications may remain in original containers and labels do not need to be removed. Medications not in original containers will also be accepted.

• Noncommercial Sharps and syringes will ONLY be accepted at PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care event site. Use an approved Sharps container when transporting; if one is not available, use a rigid plastic container. WARNING-SHARPS DO NOT RECYCLE.
• Vape pens and e-cigarettes will be accepted for safe free disposal by all event sites EXCEPT Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department.

Medicine take back events in Southwest WA are funded in partnership by Washington State Health Care Authority.

Drug Take Back Event locations:

Clark County

• PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care, 33rd & Main (South Back Lot), Vancouver
• Kaiser Permanente Cascade Park, 12607 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver
• Battle Ground Police Department, 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground
• Washougal Silver Star Search & Rescue, 1220 A St., Washougal
• Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department, 31501 NW 31st Ave., Ridgefield (La Center Exit I-5, south of Ilani Casino)

Skamania County

• · Skamania County Sheriff, 200 Vancouver Ave., Stevenson

Event Flyers:

• English Event Flyer
• Spanish Event Flyer
• Russian Event Flyer
• Skamania County Event Flyer

For more information, visit bit.ly/DTBE42421or email Kelley Groen-Sieckmann at kelley.groen@esd112.org.

Did you know any day can be a drug take back day?

If you can’t make it to the Drug Take Back Event on Saturday April 24th between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm to dispose of unused and expired medication, not to worry as you have options! Take-back programs are the only safe and proper way to dispose of unused and expired medication.

Community kiosk drop-off sites allow patients to bring expired or unwanted medicines to convenient locations for proper disposal.

Mail-Back Services for expired or unwanted medicines including inhalers and prefilled injector products are available, free of charge, to all residents upon request. Mail-Back Distribution Locations may also be available in your area. Medications in any dosage form, except for those identified as not accepted below, in their original container or sealed bag are accepted.

• ACCEPTED: Medications in any dosage form, except for those identified as Not Accepted below, in their original container or sealed bag at community kiosks and for mail-back services.
• NOT ACCEPTED: Herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, cosmetics, other personal care products, medical devices, batteries, mercury-containing thermometers, sharps, illicit drugs, and pet pesticide products are not accepted at community kiosks and through the mail-back services.

To protect their privacy, patients are reminded to remove all personally identifiable information on medication labels or packaging before disposing of unwanted medicines. If transferring medications to a sealed bag, please be sure to recycle the remaining packaging. Do not place medicines in the trash or recycling, and never flush them down the toilet.

If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction to opioids, now is the time to get help. Programs are available across Washington state to help you live an opioid-free life. Find out more at www.GetTheFactsRx.com.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released their 2020 NDTA, outlining the threats posed to the United States by domestic and international drug trafficking and the use of illicit drugs. Significant findings from the report show that, “illicit fentanyl is one of the primary drugs fueling the epidemic of overdose deaths in the United States,” and “constraints associated with the COVID-19 pandemic... temporarily posed new challenges to criminal organizations’ movement of drugs during the first half of 2020.”

The 2020 NDTA is available to review and download from the DEA’s website.

Prevent is proud to release the first two episodes of the new podcast, "Prevent Coalition Podcast." The two hosts, Jesse Jimenez and Christopher Belisle, share stories and strategies to help coalitions and organizations reach their full potential.

Listeners can expect around two episodes a month at preventcoalition.podbean.com. The podcast is also available on Google Podcasts, the Apple Podcast app and other familiar streaming services.

• Episode 0 - Welcome
• Episode 1 - Rural Network

Give it a listen! Have a topic for the hosts to discuss? Email comments and inquiries to preventcoalition@esd112.org. Episodes archived at preventcoalition.org/events/news/. Want to share this news? Find the full announcement here and share with your friends.

Prevent Coalition released an impact report of Tobacco use in Washington state in February of 2021.

Nationally, tobacco kills more than 480,000 people annually – more than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. For every person who dies from smoking, at least 30 more are suffering from serious smoking-caused disease and disability.

The report highlights Washington use rates, and presents crucial data around Washington State policies impacting prevention. Washington annual spending from Tobacco settlement funds and tax revenue is currently $2.1 million, compared to the $63.6 million that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends.

Access the report to learn more.

This is Quitting (TIQ), from Truth Initiative, is an innovative text-to-quit vaping program for young people ages 13-24 that shows the real side of quitting, both the good and the bad. TIQ helps motivate, inspire, and support young people throughout the quitting process. When young people join TIQ, they will receive proven tips and strategies to quit and stay off e-cigarettes and vapor products from other young people just like themselves who tried to quit.

How well does it work?

Since January 2019, TIQ has enrolled more than 200,000 teens and young adults nationwide. More than half of users report that they had reduced or stopped using e-cigarettes after just two weeks of using the program.

How can young people join?

It’s super easy. If you live in Washington and are between the ages of 13-24, just text VAPEFREEWA to 88709. You can also visit thetruth.com to learn more about the award-winning truth campaign.

I don’t vape, but I know a young person who does. How can I learn more?

You can read more about TIQ here or text QUIT to 202-899-7550 to receive text messages designed specifically for parents of teens and young adults who vape.

The 2021-22 Washington State Legislative Session is still under way. We encourage you to establish a connection with your elected officials, and share your voice for matters important to you. Please know that every day, new legislation is introduced and this is not in any way a comprehensive list of policies to monitor.

Tools or Updates:

• Liquor & Cannabis Board Annual Report
  
• Accessing the Legislature Remotely
• How to Testify or Submit Comment Remotely
• How to Locate & Contact Your Legislators

Relevant Prevention Policies:

• Eliminating youth purchase, use and possession laws for Tobacco.
• Regulating Vaping & Tobacco Products
• Allowing Adult Residential Marijuana Agriculture (Home Grows)
• Establishing & Allowing Craft Cannabis License
• Taxation Changes to Medical Cannabis
• Establishing Health Equity Zones
• Clarifying WA Clean Air Act
• Replacing the Term "Marijuana" with "Cannabis"
• Concerning Possession of Vapor Products by Minors
• Arrest Protections for Users of Medical Cannabis

Purpose:

The Rural Network is a group of stakeholders from rural areas across Washington, working towards the common goal of reducing youth substance misuse. The Rural Network is funded by a Department of Health YMPEP (Youth Marijuana Prevention & Education Program) grant.

Goals:

1. Connecting rural communities across the state,
2. Assessing rural populations to learn what prevention services are needed,
3. Creating online tools that help rural communities thrive.

Approach:

The network began in March 2020 and continues growing each day. The full network gathers once a month during online conference calls, typically through interactive, small group discussions or breakout sessions. Optional opportunities for engagement include Technical Assistance by staff, a leadership Steering Committee team, and a monthly toolkit workgroup that focuses specifically on goal #3, creating an online resource toolkit. We are driven by rural voices and operate the same way as a local community coalition – except statewide!

Rural Network Meeting

Tuesday March 30

2 - 3:30 p.m.

Click here to access meeting minutes from February.

Questions?

Email preventcoalition@esd112.org or learn more and to subscribe for meeting reminders.

• Photo Toolkit: We're developing an online library of rural photos. These will be used for prevention campaigns, media, flyers, and more. Submit photos today! Click here to access the submission form.
• Story Toolkit: We're developing a collection of success stories, lessons learned, and ways for adapting programs to rural areas. Click here to take the five minute survey.
• Website: Our designer is currently making a password-protected toolkit page that will host everything toolkit related. To be released by June 2021.
• Map: Visit the map of coalitions across Washington. Did we miss someone? Let us know!
• Assessment: Click here to access the second part of the Needs Assessment, which includes a sample of Healthy Youth Survey from rural areas across Washington.
• Data Training: We're hosting an online data training in March to reflect on the Needs Assessment Part 2, learn how to analyze data, and how to collect/use qualitative data. See dates in the events part of this newsletter.
• Organization Training: In June we're planning to hire a CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) trainer to support our network in planning for the upcoming fiscal year and building capacity within our membership. Stay tuned.
• Recruitment: We're always seeking new voices to join the cause. We're especially interested in recruiting people who identify as Black/African American, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and youth. Want a quick orientation? Visit one of our monthly Office Hour events.

For a full grant progress timeline visit www.preventcoalition.org/rural/our-work/.

Prevent Coalition events:

A Beginners Guide to Qualitative Data Training

Wednesday March 10

9-11 a.m.

Register today.

Online training on how to gather, sort, analyze, and publish qualitative data.

For SW regional network & rural network members, or community representatives.

Drive- Thru Drug Take Back Events
Saturday April 24

From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Various Locations

Rural Network Meeting

Tuesday March 30

2-3:30 p.m.

Online conference call.

For rural volunteers, representatives & leaders across Washington.

Coalition Coordinators Meeting

Thursday March 25

9:30-11 a.m.

Online conference call.

For Coalition Coordinators & staff in SW Washington.

Click for full calendar of coalition and community events.

Relevant events not sponsored by Prevent Coalition:

3/4 Webinar: Who's Doing What?: The Epidemiology of Adolescent Substance Use

It's been an entire year since Prevent Coalition packed up and went fully virtual in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for sticking with us during this time.

We're connecting and supporting communities to build resilience and prevent youth substance abuse.

Email: preventcoalition@esd112.org
Website: www.PreventCoalition.org
Location: 2500 NE 65th Ave., Vancouver, WA, USA
Phone: 360-952-3457
Facebook: Facebook.com/PreventCoalition
Twitter: @preventcc112