(Neah Bay) — Cape Flattery School District has received $200,000 to educate youth families about the risks of substance abuse to teen health, how to encourage healthy choices, and how to create a more positive and healthy environment at home and in the community. The funding will be used for implementing culturally driven strategies that provide on-going educational events and trainings to the community for the reduction and prevention of opioid drug use and misuse among youth.
The Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI), funded by the state Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) in which there are more than 50 community coalitions participating, now including Neah Bay. CPWI coalitions partner with parents, youth, educators, health professionals, businesses, law enforcement, faith leaders, and others. Coalitions identify their community’s greatest prevention needs, plan and implement evidence-based strategies, leverage local resources and evaluate the impact of selected programs.
“Our goal is to focus prevention resources in high-need communities with strong local partners who will take action to reduce substance abuse and the harm it causes,” said DBHR Director, Chris Imhoff.
“We know that when youth feel strongly connected to their family and community and are supported in making positive choices, they are more likely to make healthy choices and succeed in school,” added Imhoff.
CPWI’s primary goals are to reduce underage alcohol and marijuana use among 10th- graders, improve academic performance and reduce juvenile crime. The 2014 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey found that drinking has dropped among 10th-graders in the past two years; however, one in five reported drinking in the past month and one in five said they rode in a car with a driver who had recently used marijuana.
Cape Flattery School District was considered for this grant for many factors, and not just the elevated rates of youth substance use, but also Neah Bay’s cultural and community strength and the ties that come with that. Neah Bay’s Community Coalition will be beginning services soon and encourages community members to join the coalition to participate in planning and support.
State and county data from the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey is available at www.AskHYS.net. Information and tips for parents for preventing underage alcohol and marijuana use can be found at www.StartTalkingNow.org.
For information about joining the Community Coalition, contact Jackie Johnson at jjohnson@cfsd.wednet.edu.
