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1. What are the consequences of teen substance use?

The use of alcohol and other drugs has been linked to a variety of negative consequences, especially for youth. Substance use can lead to:

• Physical and mental health problems: injuries, disease, depression, memory problems
• Academic problems: absenteeism, poor grades
• Poor peer and family relationships: social alienation
• Legal issues: arrests
• Violence
• Economic problems: cost of medical and treatment services and societal costs
• Long-term drug dependence and abuse
  • The younger someone is when they start using drugs, the more likely they are to become addicted. Alcohol and other drugs can hinder healthy adolescent brain development.
• Death: accidents, disease, homicide, suicide

Sources:

• ^{http://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/drugid/ration-03.html}
• ^{http://talk2prevent.ny.gov/toolkit/developing-brain}
• ^{https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUHresults2012/NSDUHresults2012.pdf} 
• ^{http://www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov/families/facts/brain.aspx} 

2. Why do some teens choose to drink and use other drugs?

Teens' decision to drink alcohol or use other drugs is influenced by:

• If alcohol or other drugs are easy to get
• If parents, neighborhood adults, or friends disapprove of teen drinking or other drug use
• If parents provide teens with alcohol or other drugs
• If they see teen alcohol or other drug use as dangerous
• If they think teens who drink alcohol or use other drugs will be caught by the police
• If they think they would be caught by their parents if they used alcohol or other drugs
• If there is a lot of alcohol or tobacco advertising
• If they experienced violence, mental illness, or drug use in their household

Sources

^{https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide/introduction}

^{https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17485618}

^{https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16389206}

^{https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUHresults2012/NSDUHresults2012.pdf}

3. What can I do to reduce teen use of alcohol and other drugs?

To help prevent teen drug use, you can:

• Show you disapprove of underage drinking or other drug use
• Let teens know you don't want them to drink or use other drugs because you want them to be safe and happy
• Show teens that you are a trustworthy source of information about alcohol and other drugs
• Let them know you will notice if they drink or use other drugs
• Teach teens tips for resisting peer pressure and ways to refuse alcohol or other drugs if they are offered them
• Get involved in SCCUDD

Remember, it doesn’t need to be one big talk. It’s better to do multiple small talks.

Sources

^{https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/parent-resources/five-conversation-goals}

4. I'm worried about someone's alcohol or other drug use. Where can I find help?

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency (FLACRA)

Watkins Glen Outpatient Clinic

Mill Creek Center, 106 S Perry St Watkins Glen, NY 14891

607-535-8260

Addictions Crisis Line: 315-462-9466

24/7 Opioid Response Team: 833-435-2272

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)

24/7 HOPEline: 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or Text HopeNY: 467369

FindAddictionTreatment.NY.gov

SAMHSA's National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Treatment Services Locator

5. How did SCCUDD start?

In April 2006, concerned community members came together to form the Schuyler County Commission on Underage Drinking (SCCUD) in response to:

• Photos of an underage drinking party posted to social media causing the football team to have to forfeit an important game
• The arrest of a mother for purchasing a car-trunk full of alcohol for her children and their friends
• The 2006 Community Health Assessment found that alcohol use was the #1 health concern of county residents and that the county had: ◦2 times the state rate of youth DWI arrests
• 2 times the state rate of unintentional injuries and death
• 3 times the state rate of youth on probation with alcohol involvement
• A high rate of youth injured in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents

 The coalition originally focused on reducing alcohol availability, improving the effectiveness of law enforcement, and changing social norms. Early activities included:

• DA letter to graduating seniors’ parent about hosting laws
• Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don't be a Party to Teenage Drinking campaign
• Sheriff-provided retailer trainings on age proofing and provision of detection machines
• Clings on store coolers
• Anonymous Tip Line
• Beer garden at Italian American Festival
• Ended the practice of the senior class receiving beer mugs or wine glasses with school logo

In 2012, the coalition entered into a Drug-Free Communities Mentoring Grant with Tompkins County's Community Coalition for Healthy Youth (CCHY). With CCHY's guidance, the coalition expanded its focus to include other drugs and updated its name from the Schuyler County Commission on Underage Drinking (SCCUD) to the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD). The coalition also worked on updating its by-laws and structure, increasing coalition capacity through education and skill-building trainings, and conducted focus groups with community youth to further understand the drug-related social norms and issues facing youth.

In October 2014, SCCUDD was awarded a federal Drug-Free Communities Support Grant by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This five-year grant secured federal resources to reduce youth use of alcohol and other drugs by supporting community-driven solutions.

6. What does SCCUDD do?

As a Drug-Free Communities Support Grant recipient, SCCUDD works to increase community collaboration and reduce youth substance use by employing the Seven Strategies for Effective Community Change:

• Providing Information to individuals regarding youth substance use, how to prevent youth substance use, and the consequences of youth substances use.
  • Examples of activities include: flyers, media campaigns, and events
• Enhancing Skills by training community members so they can better help create change in the community.
  • Examples of activities include: server compliance or parenting skills trainings
• Providing Support to help people participate in activities that reduce risk or enhance protection.
  • Examples of activities include: drug-free events or parties and youth organizations
• Enhancing Access and Reducing Barriers by improving systems and processes to help people utilize services.
  • Examples of activities include: prescription drug takeback programs and improved access to substance use services
• Changing Consequences by changing incentives and disincentives to increase or decrease the likelihood of positive or negative behaviors.
  • Examples of activities include: recognition programs and increased DUI checkpoints
• Changing Physical Design by altering the built environment to reduce risk or enhance protection.
  • Examples of activities include: improving visibility in public places to make surveillance easier and having alcohol- and tobacco-free zones
• Modifying and Changing Policies by formally altering written laws, policies, and procedures.
  • Examples of activities include: revising school policies relating to alcohol and other drug use and changing local laws relating to alcohol and other drug use

Sources

^{https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/grants/pdf/sp-14-002.pdf}