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Evidence-Based Strategies to Decrease Alcohol Consumption |
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By Sindy Bolaños-Sacoman, Owner & CEO, SBS Evaluation & Program Development Specialists
Why did the alcohol conversation stop twenty years ago? The focus of prevention has turned to opioids and fentanyl, but more people in the U.S. die of alcohol-related causes than from opioids and other drugs1.
Community organizations and coalitions can start having these much-needed conversations to raise awareness and uncover this silent epidemic. There are several benefits to community education (e.g. town halls) and advocacy including, alcohol focused data presentations, sharing information about evidence-based strategies known to effectively decrease alcohol consumption, and increasing awareness of alcohol related harms. The more community members know, the better equipped they will be to counter the pressure from the alcohol industry, to address policy initiatives, and to implement local strategies. Read more to discover 7 evidence based strategies known to successfully decrease alcohol related harms.
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April is Alcohol Awareness Month
Alcohol Awareness month is dedicated to acknowledging the adverse effects of alcohol use and misuse on health and wellness, especially among youth. This year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed a social media toolkit in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month that highlights various resources regarding alcohol use, including links to treatment and support. Specifically, the toolkit promotes several strategies and resources available to address the health and social impacts related to alcohol misuse.
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DEA Announces Spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: April 27
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced it will host its spring bi-annual National Prescription Drug (Rx) Take Back Day on April 27 dedicated to preventing medication misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) by encouraging the public to dispose of unneeded medications at disposal sites across the country. DEA’s most recent Rx Take Back Day, in October 2023, resulted in 599,879 pounds? Grams? (300 tons) of returned drugs.
The DEA’s Collection Site Locator can be accessed here.
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The Value of Systems Thinking in Adolescent
Overdose Prevention
By Iris Smith, Ph.D.
In 2021, drug overdoses accounted for an estimated 108,000 U.S. deaths. Between July 2019 and July 2021, median monthly overdose deaths among adolescents 10-19 years old increased 109%. Opioids accounted for 90% of those deaths, with 83.9% involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl and 24.5% involving the use of counterfeit pills. However. only 35% of decedents had an opioid use history and 40% had a history of mental health issues.1 Adolescent opioid use is influenced by multiple interacting forces including the socio-economic environment, government policies, law enforcement, and political will. Identifying the sources of influence, their relationship and interactions with drug use and distribution patterns from a systems level perspective may be useful in crafting prevention approaches.
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What's Happening Around the Region? |
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Still Available: Developing a Logic Model Technical Assistance Opportunity
Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to enhance your organization's grant readiness, bolster sustainability, and maximize the impact of your prevention initiatives. Get free logic model technical assistance for your team with one of our subject matter experts.
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Data-Driven Decision Making: Empower your team with the tools to collect and analyze meaningful data. Make informed decisions, track progress, and showcase the success of your prevention programs.
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Capacity Building: Empower your team with a strategic roadmap. The Logic Model provides a clear and concise framework, enhancing your team's capacity to implement, measure, and adapt prevention strategies effectively
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Mobilizing Marginalized Communities to Prevent Substance Misuse
Friday, April 26, 2024
9:30 -11:00 a.m. MT / 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CT / 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET
Join us for an interactive session that will explore strategies for effectively engaging marginalized communities in prevention efforts. Participants will gain insights into the unique challenges faced by these communities and learn practical approaches to promote empowerment, inclusivity, and equity in prevention initiatives.
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Sharpen Your Data Gathering Skills! |
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New! Video Two in "Swimming Upstream with Data: Prevention Data Sources for Rural Communities"
In this video series, Dr. Beverly Triana-Tremain discusses how to use data to swim upstream to explore underlying risk factors for LGBTQ+, rural, and military communities. These data sources will help you dive deeper and further upstream when working with these specific groups.
In video two of the three part series, Prevention Data Sources for Rural Communities, Dr. Triana-Tremain reviews key data sources to help you engage in upstream prevention with rural communities, including finding and using data in your prevention work.
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Please watch other videos in the Swimming Upstream Video Series tutorials.
Earlier this year, we released the Swimming Upstream with Data Overview and the Prevention Data Sources for LGBTQ+ communities and the video series overview. Watch these two videos posted to our YouTube channel.
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Coming soon….
Are you serving military communities and individuals? In the third and final video in the Swimming Upstream with Data series, Dr. Triana-Tremain walks us through two vital data sources specifically related to military veterans and active-duty personnel. Watch our newsletters for the release.
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