South Whidbey Cares Coalition cites drop in teen alcohol and marijuana use, outlines drug takeback event
April 25, 2024 | South Whidbey School District, School Districts, Washington
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Representatives of the South Whidbey Cares Coalition presented Healthy Youth Survey highlights to the board and called for continued prevention work and policy review.
Lori Johnson, speaking for the coalition, described the group as a cross-sector partnership that includes the district, Island County Public Health, law enforcement and treatment and recovery providers and said the coalition is grant-funded through the state's Healthcare Authority (CPWI). She emphasized relationship- and capacity-building and described planned community activities, including a safety and wellness fair and a drug takeback that will provide more convenient, permanent disposal options in the community.
Taylor Lawson of Island County Public Health summarized survey findings and year-to-year comparisons. "We've seen a decrease in substance use reported by high schoolers," Lawson said, noting that alcohol and marijuana use have fallen while reported prescription drug use rose by about one percentage point. Lawson also said more students reported that substances are "very hard to get" and that perceived risk around daily e-cigarette and regular marijuana use increased.
Coalition staff described practical steps the district and community can take: increase access to safe medication disposal (there is a permanent disposal kiosk at a Freeland pharmacy), continue data-focused assessment across multiple sources, and assess district policies through a prevention lens. The Coalition said it can provide no-cost regional support to review policies and welcomed invitations to provide deeper analysis on specific measures such as the Hope scale and perceived risk.
Lori Johnson invited the public to a community safety and wellness event this Saturday at the community center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the event will include a drug takeback opportunity, trainings, family activities and community partners such as Island County Public Health and local outreach staff.
Lori Johnson, speaking for the coalition, described the group as a cross-sector partnership that includes the district, Island County Public Health, law enforcement and treatment and recovery providers and said the coalition is grant-funded through the state's Healthcare Authority (CPWI). She emphasized relationship- and capacity-building and described planned community activities, including a safety and wellness fair and a drug takeback that will provide more convenient, permanent disposal options in the community.
Taylor Lawson of Island County Public Health summarized survey findings and year-to-year comparisons. "We've seen a decrease in substance use reported by high schoolers," Lawson said, noting that alcohol and marijuana use have fallen while reported prescription drug use rose by about one percentage point. Lawson also said more students reported that substances are "very hard to get" and that perceived risk around daily e-cigarette and regular marijuana use increased.
Coalition staff described practical steps the district and community can take: increase access to safe medication disposal (there is a permanent disposal kiosk at a Freeland pharmacy), continue data-focused assessment across multiple sources, and assess district policies through a prevention lens. The Coalition said it can provide no-cost regional support to review policies and welcomed invitations to provide deeper analysis on specific measures such as the Hope scale and perceived risk.
Lori Johnson invited the public to a community safety and wellness event this Saturday at the community center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the event will include a drug takeback opportunity, trainings, family activities and community partners such as Island County Public Health and local outreach staff.
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