Grant Supports Youth Substance Use Prevention

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services:

Humboldt County Department of Health & (and) Human Services DHHSA $625,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program will continue to provide funding for the Humboldt Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP).

A community coalition founded in 2002, ASAP works to reduce and prevent substance use among local youth.

The grant was awarded to the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), which provides staff for ASAP. It will be distributed in $125,000 increments over the next five years.

ASAP is made up of members of all ages from across the community working together to build safe and healthy communities, free of drug-related harm. Strategies include youth leadership development, media campaigns, community education and events, and advocacy for policies that impact communitywide change.

“Collaboration and caring are what this coalition is all about,” said ASAP Chair Art Wilson. “It’s a diverse bunch of people with skills, passion and creativity who are dedicated to making our community healthier. That’s what keeps me coming back.”

An earlier DFC grant supported the coalition’s efforts from 2010 through 2015, and included a focus on safe storage and proper disposal of prescription medications. It also supported the passage of a social host ordinance in Eureka which penalizes hosts of underage drinking parties. Additionally, ASAP has sponsored youth-focused Photo Voice projects as well as participating in other community awareness campaigns.

In March 2016, ASAP collaborated with DHHS, Humboldt Waste Management Authority, the Humboldt Independent Practice Association and Cloney’s pharmacies to install medication disposal bins at Cloney’s McKinleyville location and one of its Eureka locations. There are currently 12 disposal bins across the county, many of which ASAP has helped establish.

The new grant will continue to support existing projects such as these as well as make it possible for the Coalition to create a community-informed plan to support future goals and activities.

According to the 2017-18 California Healthy Kids Survey, Humboldt County teenagers have reported easy access to alcohol and other drugs. Studies show that early onset of substance use can affect brain development and is linked to higher rates of addiction later in life. Communities across the country with DFC coalitions consistently report decreases in alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and prescription drug misuse among middle and high school students.

Community members are invited to attend ASAP’s meetings and join the Coalition. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Community Wellness Center, 908 Seventh St. in Eureka. Members in outlying areas can join meetings using a web platform.

For more information, check out the coalition’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/humboldtasap or call 707-445-6023.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

7 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Central HumCo
Guest
5 years ago

More theft labeled Grant. Is there an end in sight?

Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Central HumCo

This time I have to agree with you.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
5 years ago

Since you seem to have such strong fiscally conservative sensitivities, I look forward to seeing ‘Central’ and ‘Willie’ out protesting the next time Congress passes a budget top heavy with HUGE military expenses and GIGANTIC tax cuts for the 1%. You’ll be there, right??? (….Far Right? ;)).

*Taxation Without Representation*
Guest
*Taxation Without Representation*
5 years ago

It would be much smarter to take the grant money (your taxes) of $625,000 to employ a private police force that would search out and stop the local drug houses and labs. Not just the catch and release probation criminals that our local law enforcement is dealing with currently. We need to clean up and process these properties and get rid of the toxic waste they contain and are spewing out! Drug addiction many times is a case of learned behavior from generation to generation. You can’t just treat the youth without treating the parents and grandparents, where this deadly behavior usually starts.

Be careful because while your pockets are being drained by endless taxes, others are also taking your air and water and other life resources! Wake up!

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
5 years ago

“Drugs”. Definition, please?!!
Let’s hope they will provide plenty information and examples to young people about the real damage to lives, families and our culture from alcohol!

*Taxation Without Representation*
Guest
*Taxation Without Representation*
5 years ago
Reply to  Ben Round

Ben, I’m talking about local meth labs and their outgassing. Looks like I left out the word “meth”. I’m quite aware of the dangers of alcohol as I was raised by a father that was an alcoholic. It was rough, to say the least.

As I see It
Guest
As I see It
5 years ago

I’m all for prevention programs but we really need more treatment for youth with mental health and drug issues. Much of the treatment available centers around adults. There isn’t much support in this area for parents as well. So much grant monies these days has such strict guidelines where it seems wasted on planning and admin. and not direct services.