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\u201cMonroe County Coalition was formed in 2008 due to excessive alcohol consumption among our teens,\u201d said the coalition\u2019s Executive Director Susan Moore. \u201cMonroe County, Florida is a tourist community otherwise known as the \u2018Florida Keys.\u2019\u00a0The Florida Keys has excessive alcohol outlets and promotes a party atmosphere with over a million tourists every year generating revenue. Two major community events include Spring Break and Fantasy Fest which are party events. Even some children and family events sell alcohol during these events, which reflects a community norm favorable to use. Vaping has become a major problem with our youth. Medical marijuana, as in other communities, is on the rise which will make roadways even more unsafe in addition to drinking and driving.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEngaging youth in prevention strategies has been very exciting,\u201d said Moore. \u201cMarathon Middle and High Schools engage youth in the Champions for Change youth leadership after school club. These youth enjoy being a part of the club, being part of the solution to problems and helping others. These youth implement peer to peer solutions even helping less fortunate youth with clothing, holiday gifts and supporting their local community. We are blessed to work with Champions for Change who provide skills, recognition and opportunities to youth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur youth were also proud to take part in CADCA\u2019s 30th Annual National Leadership Forum this February,\u201d said Moore. \u201cYouth had an amazing time learning more about substance misuse. One of our youth leaders told us\u00a0\u2018It was an honor to speak to our members of congress openly about the importance of prevention. It was nice to feel like I had a voice on this important topic. Presenting on Capitol Hill was unforgettable. Getting to meet those who are in charge of our policies and talking to them was a very valuable experience.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe youth leaders are passionate about drug prevention and making a difference in their community,\u201d said Moore. \u201cThey can now implement their new skills to strengthen their peer-to-peer activities at their schools and continue to use these leadership skills in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among our middle school students,\u00a0we\u2019ve seen past 30-day use rates for alcohol use reduce from 13.8% in 2012 to 10.0% in 2018,\u201d said Moore. \u201cIn addition, we\u2019ve seen a reduction in binge drinking from 4.9% in 2012 to 3.3% in 2018, a reduction in marijuana\/hashish use from 4.2% in 2012 to 2% in 2018 and a reduction in prescription pain medicine misuse from 2.9% in 2012 to 0.6% in 2018. We\u2019re seeing similar results in our high school students, with a reduction in alcohol use from 45.7% in 2012 to 29.5% in 2018, a reduction in binge drinking from 26.5% in 2012 to 12.5% in 2018, a reduction in marijuana\/hashish use from 31.3% in 2012 to 22.5% in 2018 and a reduction in prescription pain medicine misuse from 3.9% in 2012 to 1.1% in 2018.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo other coalitions that may be addressing some of the same issues, I would advise you to keep building your prevention system,\u201d said Moore. \u201cThere is never enough prevention in communities. Prevention saves lives.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cMonroe County Coalition was formed in 2008 due to excessive alcohol consumption among our teens,\u201d said the coalition\u2019s Executive Director<\/p>","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":13481,"template":"","resource_type":[281],"drug_specific_issues":[],"action_to_do":[],"class_list":["post-17205","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resource_type-coalitions-online"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n