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Youth Substance Use in Arizona:

Current Trends and Prevention Practices to Mitigate Risk

October 24th, 2022

Comprehensive School Wellness Program

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Welcome to our speakers!

Shomari Jackson

Mark Person

Mark supports individuals and families dealing with severe mental illness, substance use, trauma, chronic disease, homelessness, and justice involvement.

Shomari’s dedication to serving, advocating, and creating change is driven by a desire to reshape the systems that have led to the constant loss he and others have experienced because of health inequities.

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�Youth Substance Use Trends 2017-2022�

Pima County Health Dept.

Community Mental Health and Addiction Program

2022

10/24/2022

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Pima County Overdose Deaths (All ages)

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Changing Trends

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Trends continued…

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Trends continued…

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Drug Overdose Heat Maps (2022 YTD)

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Overdose hotspots in close proximity to the largest districts (based on student population).

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1st community wide fentanyl health alert

1st fentanyl alert specific to youth

Fentanyl becomes the leading cause of death for youth

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Fast Facts About Youth Substance Use

  • Youth Fatal Overdose Facts 2021-2022
    • 100% of all accidental overdose deaths involved fentanyl
    • 69% of the accidental overdoses were solely caused by fentanyl
    • 31% of the accidental overdoses involved fentanyl and at least one other drug, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol and benzodiazepines.

  • According to the 2022 Arizona Youth Survey
    • 16% of respondents said their parents or guardians had spoken to them about the dangers of fentanyl
    • 10% of respondents said it would be “sort of easy” or “very easy” to obtain fentanyl
    • 69% of respondents thought there was a “great risk” of harm from using fentanyl
    • 3% of respondents indicated that they have used fentanyl before

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-END-��

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PREVENTING YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE

APPLYING STRATEGIES AND ACCESSING RESOURCES

Shomari B. Jackson MPA , October 24th 2022

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TODAY'S AGENDA

  • YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE IN AZ
  • PROMOTING PROTECTIVE FACTORS
  • EVIDENCE BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES
  • REDUCING HARM AND IMPROVING RESILIENCE

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AZ YOUTH SUBSTANCE

STUDENTS MOST FREQUENTLY REPORTED HAVING EVER USED ALCOHOL (40%), ECIGARETTES (29 %), AND MARIJUANA (28 %), PRESCRIPTION (5 %)

A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF YOUTH REPORTED USING E- CIGARETTES, ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM 2018 TO 2020

MORE STUDENTS USED MULTIPLE DRUGS AT THE SAME TIME ( E. G., ALCOHOL, PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, MARIJUANA, AND OTHER ILLEGAL DRUGS)

MORE POLY USE ( 12 %) THAN PRESCRIPTION USE ALONE

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YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE TRENDS

Concentrates is a broad term referring to all products that have been extracted from the marijuana plant. Tend to be especially potent, with THC levels documented at an average of about 40%-70% and reported to exceed 80%. These higher doses of THC are more likely to produce anxiety, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis.

Youth who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future. Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.

Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items.

E-cigarette devices can be used to deliver marijuana and other drugs

Counterfeit pills like Percocet is often laced with other addictive and deadly drugs, such as fentanyl or heroin. However, fake “Percs” usually look just like real Percocet. But these fake pills do more than just cause addiction— they lead to fatal overdoses.

MARIJUANA CONCENTRATES

E-CIGARETTES

RX COUNERFIT PILLS

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana-concentrates

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WHAT

PROTECTS OUR KIDS?

REASONS FOR USING

To have fun

To deal with stress/sadness To feel good

REASONS FOR NOT USING

Parents/Adult Disappointment Illegal/Arrested

Bodily Harm

PROTECTIVE FACTORS

When youth are recognized and rewarded for their contributions at school, they are less likely to be involved in substance use and other problem behaviors.

When youth are given opportunities to participate meaningfully in important activities at school, they are less likely to engage in drug use and other problem behaviors

When parents and other family members praise or encourage activities done well by a child, youth are less likely to engage in substance use and other problem behaviors

https://www.azcjc.gov/Portals/0/Documents/pubs/AYS_2020_State_Report.pdf

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PROMOTING PROTECTIVE FACTORS

INDIVIDUAL

At the individual level, evidence is strongest for the protective nature of self-regulation skills, relational skills, and problem-solving skills.

RELATIONSHIP

The well-being of parents and other caregivers, the presence of a caring adult, and positive relationships with peers improve a childs well being

COMMUNITY

A positive school environment, a positive community environment, and economic opportunities are important for the at risk populations

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EVIDENCE BASED PREVENTION

Includes the adoption of programs, policies, or other strategies that have been evaluated and demonstrated to be effective in preventing health problems

Are the best practice solutions any community can implement

Prevention providers have to know the cultural beliefs, societal norms, and local attitudes towards substance misuse and mental health

https://preventionactionalliance.org/learn/about-prevention/the-best-kind-of-prevention-evidence-based-prevention

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RESOURCES AND PRACTICES

THERE ARE MULTIPLE DATABASES AND REGISTRIES THAT LIST PREVENTION PROGRAMS THAT ARE BEING USED TO BUILD SELF EFFICACY AND YOUTH LED PROGRAMS

PRACTICES

Youth Leadership Life Skills Training

Public Information and Social Marketing Community Education

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S C I E N C E C L A S S

O L D M E A D S E C O N D A R Y S C H O O L

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ACES DEFINED

ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES) ARE POTENTIALLY TRAUMATIC EVENTS THAT CAN HAVE NEGATIVE, LASTING EFFECTS ON HEALTH AND WELL- BEING. THESE EXPERIENCES RANGE FROM PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, OR SEXUAL ABUSE TO PARENTAL DIVORCE OR THE INCARCERATION OF A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE 14 ( 4 ) , 1998

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WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

Adverse Childhood Experiences

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Arizona Youth Ages 12 – 17

(Arizona Youth Survey, 2020)

61% have experienced one or more ACEs

Most common?

40% - Parents separated or divorced

33% - Living with adults who insulted you

29% - Living with an alcoholic Ethnic minority children have disproportionately higher share of 6+ ACEs

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HEALTHY RESILIENT COMMUNITY

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CULTURE | CONNECTION | HEALING

SANKOFA

“It is okay to go back and get what was lost”

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AFFIRMING BELIEFS AND BUILDING IDENTITY

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AZ ACES CONSORTIUM

THE ARIZONA ACES CONSORTIUM IS A COLLABORATION OF MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED INDIVIDUALS, STATE, COUNTY, AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER.

CERTIFICATION

The ACEs Consortium is growing its community of certified ACEs trainers that Provide trainings to spread the awareness of ACEs, toxic stress and resilience.

TRAININGS

Trainings for school staff, administration, and educators on the short-term and long-term impact of trauma

TIC SCHOOLS

To network, gather resources, information and knowledge, spread awareness of the impact of trauma, and increase support to ensure that children traumatized by ACEs succeed in school.

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HARM REDUCTION

HARM REDUCTION IS A SET OF PRACTICAL STRATEGIES AND IDEAS AIMED AT REDUCING NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

ILLICIT DRUG USE IS PART OF OUR WORLD

DRUG USE IS COMPLEX & MULTI- FACETED

QUALITY OF LIFE AND WELL- BEING

NON- JUDGMENTAL PROVISION OF SERVICES & RESOURCES

PWUD ROUTINELY HAVE A REAL VOICE

PWUD ARE THE PRIMARY AGENTS OF REDUCING HARM

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ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

Abstinence goals

  • May Not Resonate
  • Lack of Acknowledgment
  • Perceived Effects of SU

Variations and inequities

  • Inadequate In Addressing SU
  • Limitation of Current Programs
  • Limited Youth Perspective

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Reasons to incorporate harm reduction in your youth programming...

...Must provide services to aLL youth in need especially those at the highest risk. Failure to use Harm Reduction excludes many youth with the greatest need of service

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HARM REDUCTION WITH YOUTH

PEER TRUST

Centering Youth Experiences & perspectives

RESOURCES & ENGAGEMENT

Engaging youth in community OD outreach and community support

PEER SUPPORT

Young people who have successfully navigated life challenges promoting belonging, hope and empathy to their peers

REDUCING STIGMA

Educate students about smashing the stigma of addiction to drugs and alcohol to eliminate shame and change public opinion

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WHAT IS USED TO REVERSE AN OVERDOSE

NALOXONE IS A SAFE DRUG, AND IT IS DESIGNED ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE AN OPIOID OVERDOSE

GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT STUDENT OPIOID USE AND FENTANYL SPECIFICALLY

NALOXONE CAN QUICKLY REVERSE AN OVERDOSE - AND SAVE LIVES

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO NALOXONE AND SAFER USE SUPPLIES TO STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY.

FIND OUT WHERE TO GET SUPPLIES NEAR YOU - EMAIL SONORAN PREVENTION WORKS AT SUPPLIES@SPWAZ.ORG

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Thank you

SHOMARIB. JACKSON@ GMAIL. COM

480 . 292 . 6942

UBUNTU - "I Am Because We Are"

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Q & A

Please ask your questions by utilizing the Q & A feature on this Zoom webinar.

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Comprehensive School Wellness Program�https://www.azed.gov/wellness/csw�(602) 542-1442

Thank You

Evaluation Survey