Build your community’s prevention equity on the top four substances of abuse for MO teens. Join us for an in-depth course to learn from experts on locally lead initiatives to reduce youth use, assess data from your community to formulate your business plan, and assemble YOUR community to have a vested interest in prevention through population level strategies.
Alcohol is the leading substance of abuse for Missouri teens, however, underage drinking laws vary from city to city. Nancy McGee, JD, will discuss how to address underage drinking at the local level, assist with evidence based interventions, and help communities decide their best defense.
Marijuana has had so much media hype and big tobacco-like support, our youth’s perception of harm from marijuana is dwindling fast. Kara White will discuss how Ray County passed an ordinance to prohibit marijuana dispensaries, educate on its danger, and defend young brains from lasting damage.
Prescription drugs’ popularity is souring as more and more youth turn to them to relieve stress, feel better, or perform better. Since the MO Senate has failed to pass a PDMP for several years straight, St. Louis County has worked together to devise a local PDMP. Spring Schmidt will discuss how they formulated and funded their program and offer suggestions on how this can be done in your county.
Tobacco usage rates among MO teens remain higher than the national average. Tobacco 21 is a local ordinance that requires everyone to be 21 to purchase tobacco. Columbia has successfully become a T21 city. Leah Martin, from the American Lung Association, will discuss the initiative and give pointers on how your community can be a T21 city too.
Using county-specific provided data, interpretive assistance from Susan Depue from MIMH, and a facilitator from SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies, Southwest, each community will decipher which substance to address, formulate an action plan to sustain a community wide ordinance, and leave with a blueprint for change.
Prevention works best at the community level, and according to Jeff Linkenbach: “There is tremendous freedom in knowing that the solutions organizations and communities seek to their problems already reside within these entities.” ACT Missouri is happy to provide an avenue to this freedom!
