New Data Show More Than 2.5 Million U.S. Youth Currently Use E-Cigarettes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released federal data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) on e-cigarette use among U.S. youth. The study, which was conducted January-May 2022 using an online survey, shows that overall about 1 in 10 U.S. middle (3.3%) and high (14.1%) school students reported current (in the past 30 days) e-cigarette use. Among these youth e-cigarette users, nearly 85% reported using flavored e-cigarettes, and more than 1 in 4 (27.6%) reported daily use of an e-cigarette. In addition, FDA warned Puff Bar and issued denial to Hyde, two of the most popular brands with youth.
SW WA Prevention Groups Holding Drive-Thru Drug Take Back Events on October 29
Community youth substance use prevention coalitions, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations in Southwest Washington are collaborating to host drive‐thru drug take‐back events at seven different locations in Clark, Skamania and East Klickitat counties on Saturday, October 29, 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, free disposal to any one of the following event sites:
Clark County:
- PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care ‐ 33rd & Main (south back lot), Vancouver
- Kaiser Permanente Orchards ‐ 7101 NE 137th Ave., Vancouver
- Battle Ground Police Department ‐ 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground
- Washougal Police Department ‐ 1320 A St., Washougal
- Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Dept. ‐ 31501 NW 31st Ave., Ridgefield
Skamania County:
- Skamania County Sheriff ‐ 200 Vancouver Ave., Stevenson
East Klickitat County:
- Klickitat County Court House ‐ 205 S. Columbus Ave., Goldendale
Please note that the Peacehealth Southwest Urgent Care site is the only location accepting sharps and syringes (noncommercial sources only). Additionally, all event sites except the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department will collect vape pens and e‐cigarettes without batteries for disposal.
All prescription and over‐the‐counter medications including pills, liquids and inhalers will be accepted for free disposal at any of the drive‐thru disposal events. Medications not in original containers will also be accepted. Community‐based medicine take‐back events and year-round disposal programs are the only safe way to dispose of medication. Medicine should never be flushed or thrown in the trash, it pollutes the environment, our waterways, or could be taken by someone for whom it wasn’t prescribed.
Kelley Groen‐Sieckmann, Community Prevention Project Coordinator with Central Vancouver Coalition and ESD 112, said that “take back events are meant to promote safe medication disposal to reduce opioid and prescription misuse and prevent medication from ending up in our landfills and waterways.”
“Statistics show that 75 percent of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them – usually taken from a friend or family member,” explains Groen‐Sieckmann. “However, simple steps like properly disposing of medications at a take back event, at a year-round disposal kiosk, or mail-back program, can help prevent misuse and overall decrease the spread of the opioid problem we are seeing in our region and across the country,” she added.
Medicine take‐back events in Southwest Washington are funded in partnership by Washington State Health Care Authority, law enforcement, and community partners. For more info about the event, visit bit.ly/DTBE102922. If you’re unable to make it to the October 29th event, you can find a year-round medicine disposal kiosk or order envelopes to dispose of medicine by mail at www.Med-Project.org.
LINKS TO DOWNLOAD EVENT & YEAR-ROUND FLYERS BY COUNTY:
- Clark Year-Round Disposal Flyer
- Klickitat Event Flyer – English
- Klickitat Year-Round Disposal Flyer
Youth Advocacy Training
When: December 7, 2022 @5:30pm - 8:00pm
Where: Educational Service District 112, 2500 NE 65th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98661
(Virtual option available, contact event organizer)
Cost: Free!
Registration and More Information: To learn more visit www.preventcoalition.org/events.
October is Youth Substance Use Prevention Month
National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month is an observance to highlight the vital role of substance use prevention and to remember individuals who have lost their lives to substance misuse. We know that early intervention is vital for youth. Every year that substance use is delayed while the adolescent brain develops decreases the risk of addiction and substance misuse.
Recognizing the importance of prevention, President Joe Biden released a proclamation from The White House declaring October as Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. To view the proclamation from The White House visit www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) gathered youth substance use prevention resources in recognition of Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. Visit https://www.samhsa.gov/blog to view the resources.
Healthy Lung Month
October is healthy lung month and an opportunity to educate how smoking and vaping can damage the lungs and lead to disease. More than 8 out of 10 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to smoking.
Take time to discover more about smoking and lung health during Healthy Lung Month via FDA Center for Tobacco Products: https://go.usa.gov/xmQp9
Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31
The Red Ribbon campaign serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities, educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Ways to show support range from wearing red to facilitating events and activities that bring awareness to living a drug-free life.
Learn more and get ideas for Red Ribbon Week by visiting Redribbon.org
Seeking Feedback About Youth Mental Health and Substance Use
Community Prevention & Wellness Initiative (CPWI) youth substance use prevention coalitions serve unique communities within the Southwest Washington Region. CPWI community coalitions are comprised of community members and organizations working together towards a common goal of building a safe, healthy and drug free community. Annually, CPWI community coalitions conduct a Community Survey to gather opinions and insight about youth mental health and substance use from adults living and working within corresponding school and zip code boundaries. Each coalition is required to collect a specific number of surveys based on the total population for their community. The feedback gathered from the Community Survey is included as part of CPWI community coalitions' needs assessments to help inform and support prevention programming for youth within CPWI communities.
If you live or work within the zip code boundaries listed below we encourage you to complete a Community Survey. The online survey takes about 5 minutes to complete, is completely anonymous, and available in English and Spanish. Survey takers may skip any questions or stop the survey at any time. Feel free to share the survey links with friends and family to help diversify and expand the reach for the Community Surveys. CPWI Community Coalitions thank those who completed surveys and support the health and safety of youth and communities.
The online surveys will be available through November 15, 2022. To complete a survey, click on the Community Survey link below that corresponds to the zip code and school boundary for where you live or work:
Fort Vancouver High School - zip codes 98661, 98662, 98664
CPWI Coalition: Central Vancouver Coalition
Hudson’s Bay High School - zip codes 98660, 98661, 98663, 98665
CPWI Coalition: West Van for Youth
Washougal High School - zip codes 98671, 98682
CPWI Coalition: Unite! Washougal
Kelso School District – zip code98626
CPWI Coalition: Highlander HOPE Coalition
Longview School District – zip code 98632
CPWI Coalition: EPIC
Castle Rock School District - zip code 98611
CPWI Coalition: Castle Rock CARE Coalition
FDA Launches New Online Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center
The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) is announcing the launch of a Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center. The online resource center provides science-based, standards-mapped materials that teachers can use to help their students understand the dangers associated with vaping and nicotine addiction.
- Teachers will find lesson plans, interactive tools, infographics, and videos with tobacco facts and tips about how to teach teens about the dangers of vaping.
- Parents will find fact sheets, videos, and resources to help them understand and recognize vapes, talk with their children, and keep the conversation going over time.
- Students will find real-life stories and relatable content to help them understand vaping, nicotine addiction, common myths about vapes, and how to say no to vaping.
Access is free after creating an account.
To access this resource visit the Tobacco Education Resource Library website.
Materials include:
- Posters in 13 languages: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, Filipino/Tagalog, Khmer/Cambodian, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Korean, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
- Wallet cards in 13 languages: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, Filipino/Tagalog, Khmer/Cambodian, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Korean, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
- Rack cards in 13 languages: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, Filipino/Tagalog, Khmer/Cambodian, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Korean, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
- 15-second videos (x4) in English and Spanish: The videos can be used on digital platforms, broadcast television stations, and in theaters in Washington State through March 27, 2023
- A 30-second radio ad in English and Spanish: The radio ads can be used on digital and broadcast radio stations in Washington State through March 16, 2024
- Billboards (x4) in English and Spanish: There are four billboards in each language. There are no rights restrictions on their use.
- Social content for Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn in English and Spanish: There is a series of images and supporting social copy formatted for each platform. There are no rights restrictions on their use.
Access the toolkit here:
- https://thesocialpresskit.com/tobacco
- Password: WAStateQuitline
Overdose - Prevention, Harm Reduction, & Treatment Webinar Series
The Washington Poison Center seeks to open dialogue, de-stigmatize, and ensure everyone is aware of the help available in communities for overdose prevention. They created thorough presentations that explore unintentional and intentional factors that can lead to overdose, how to respond to different overdose situations, how to prevent and reduce harm from overdose, and how to access resources and treatment in the state of Washington.
To watch the presentations visit Washington Poison Center website.
Research-Based Information About College Drinking
Harmful and underage college drinking are significant public health problems, and they exact an enormous toll on the lives of students on campuses across the United States. According to a national survey, almost 53 percent of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 drank alcohol in the past month and about 33 percent engaged in binge drinking during that same time frame. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has research-based information on college drinking, its impact, and prevention strategies.
Visit the NIAAA website for more information about underage college drinking.
Visit the NIAAA website to learn more about all alcohol prevention topics.
E-Cigarette Policy Playbook Updated
(E40)The Public Health Law Center, the Vaping Prevention Resource, and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have updated their 2020 policy playbook for e-cigarettes. The playbook assists public health practitioners in adopting state and local policies to address e-cigarette use. This new release includes policy and advocacy tools for communities addressing e-cigarette use.
The resource is available on the Public Health Law Center website.
Free Online Mental Health Awareness Tool For 18-29 Year-olds
This anonymous program developed at the University of Washington was designed to be a private, personal, self-check in for young adults ages 18-29 in Washington (though anyone 18 and older may take it). It provides tailored information designed to promote reflection on feelings, learn coping strategies, and improve health and well-being. It can be accessed 24/7 from any device with an internet browser.
There are no costs to anyone who accesses the program. The program is sponsored by the Washington State Health Care Authority.
Interested in Volunteering? Two New Committees Forming.
Making the Connection Committee:
The "Making the Connection" toolkit was developed in 2018 with the goal of changing the conversation about substance abuse by talking WITH youth and not AT youth. A new commercial tobacco and vaping prevention module is needed to expand the toolkit content and add training materials that the community has requested. Committee volunteers are needed to help guide the development of this module. If you would like to lend your voice and talents to this project, please contact matt.cox@esd112.org.
Parent-Directed Campaign Committee:
Help build a local campaign to enable parents to understand and utilize their influence over youth, or share relevant prevention information tailored to their needs. This campaign will be informed by the latest needs assessment data and community input. If you’re interested in design, developing key messages, sorting out data, and more, contact logan.morrow@esd112.org to get involved.
“It was so wonderful to be able to get together with other Rural Network members who I haven’t seen in-person in years, and folks I had never met,” said Sarah Meyers, a volunteer from Garfield County. “I was so grateful for the opportunity, and it truly did feel like a ‘new beginning’. I can’t wait for what’s in store for us this year with the Rural Network!”
The Rural Network is comprised of a group of volunteers and leaders who work towards building resiliency and preventing youth substance misuse in rural communities across the state, and is comprised of a coalition of parents, educators, business owners, medical professionals, law enforcement, government and faith-based organizations, and concerned citizens. The Rural Network connects communities through monthly meetings, supports partners and coalitions through strategizing efforts and collaboration, develops resources for rural coalitions using an online toolkit, and works to change policies through advocacy work, and the promotion of rural equity.
During the conference, attendees collaborated on strategies for youth engagement, supporting rural schools, sustainability initiatives, and the Strategic Prevention Framework. They learned how organizations and volunteers can work together to create lasting community change, and how people can support their communities with positive interventions that offset population risks. Attendees were given the opportunity to map out their local community and identify resources, sources of resilience, and identify areas of concern where they could focus on future strategies and action plans. Based on the success of the inaugural conference, the Rural Network plans to host another conference again in the future.
“This conference was a launching point for the rest of the work we do together,” said Christopher Belisle, Prevention and Youth Services Manager at ESD 112. “It inspired us for what's to come and empowered us with amazing face-to-face connections and memories. Looking ahead, we'll be updating several prevention campaigns with rural elements, and are eager to partner with rural youth groups to offer resources for advocacy and connect them to legislators for policy discussions.”
The Rural Network is an initiative of Prevent, funded by the Commercial Cannabis & Tobacco Prevention Program (YCCTPP of the Washington State Department of Health, in addition to other state and federal grants. Support comes from the fiscal agent, Educational Service District 112 (ESD 112)
Rural Grant Progress
- Assess Data: We've created a contract with Clark County Public Health to offer Epidemiology support and implement parts of the action plan. They will offer several data trainings to the network, build an online visual data portal, and more.
- Build Toolkit: In October we're hosting a workgroup meeting to update the Find Your Good campaign with rural elements, captions, and images. We'll create a plan to survey rural youth for input.
- Change Policy: Our goal this year is to connect rural youth groups and coalitions to legislators during Rural Network meetings. November - February we'll focus on gathering youth volunteers, training on policy, and preparing for legislative meet and greets.
- Offer Training: Thank you for attending the Rural Conference. Access materials and slideshow PDF's at the website hub. You may also access the evaluation from this page.
- Offer Training: We're hosting a virtual Youth Advocacy Training statewide again on December 7 and December 8. This event is coordinated in partnership with Teens for Tomorrow and Prevention Voices. Stay tuned for more information. Click here to register online for Day 1 and here to register for Day 2.
- Promote Equity: The Steering Committee has been reviewing assessment information and analyzing the network through an equity lens, creating goals for improvement and reducing barriers for participation. They submit an Equity Plan to funders in September.
2022 Prevention Summit
Where: Virtual and in-person - Yakima, WA
When: November 8-9, 2022
Cost: Adults $100, Youth Participants $50, Chaperones $75
Registration: Not yet open (as of Sept. 8, 2022)
More Information: Visit preventionsummit.org
The Prevention Summit is an enriching training and networking opportunity for youth, volunteers, and professionals engaged in health promotion and the prevention of substance misuse, violence, and other high-risk behaviors, in a setting that promotes cultural humility. The 2022 conference is still under development. More information will be available in future newsletters, or visit preventionsummit.org for updates.
CADCA National Leadership Forum: January 30 - February 2, 2023
When is CADCA's National Leadership Forum?
Forum occurs Monday, Januray 30 - Thursday, February 2, 2023
Where is Forum being held?
Forum will take place at Gaylord National in National Harbor, MD.
Who attends Forum?
Educators | Faith Leaders | Individuals in Recovery | Justice Personnel | Law Enforcement | Mental Health Consumers | Military and Military Families | Parents | Prevention Specialists | Public Health Professionals | Researchers | State and Local Coalition Leaders | Substance Use & Mental Health Professionals | Treatment Providers | Youth
Forum Offers:
- Training from top experts in the field
- Information, tools and strategies to take your prevention work to the next level
- The latest science, news and trends on substance misuse issues
- The opportunity to network with thousands of advocates passionate about prevention
- Specialized youth leadership training
Washington State Public Health Association (WSPHA) Annual Conference for Health 2022
Where: Wenatchee, WA
When: October 11-13, 2022
Registration: Visit www.wspha.org
More Information: Visit www.wspha.org/2022-annual-conference
"Identity, Diversity, Belonging - Facilitating an end to systemic injustices"
Exploring Your BIGNEXT Journey - The Montana Institute
Are you ready to connect or reconnect with your deeper calling? Hungry to improve your effectiveness as a leader? Passionate about increasing your impact on your community? Then the time is right to start Exploring Your BIGNEXT Journey.
This eight-week workshop will foster authentic reflection, promote deep connection, and create the space for your BIGNEXT calling to emerge. Participants will be part of a collective experience and will be inspired, challenged, and cheered on by the other leaders in the workshop. Led by Dr. Jeff Linkenbach, Director of The Montana Institute.
Where: Virtual
When: 8 weeks, November 1st to December 21st, 2022
Registration and Information: Visit www.bignext.com.
Connection is the Best Prevention
Supported by the fiscal agent ESD 112, Prevent is a regional coalition formed in 2003 to increase collaboration, awareness, and reduce youth substance use in Southwest Washington. Prevent also implements initiatives for rural communities across Washington state. As a community mobilizer, the coalition creates a culture promoting healthy choices; advocates for policies and regulations that protect, empowers and nurtures youth; and facilitates positive opportunities for youth to be involved and thrive.
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: @supportyouthnow