Maricopa youth at risk

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The MASH coalition has conducted a community assessment over the past three years that identified three problems in our community: the frequency of underage drinking, the level of marijuana use among youth, and the abuse of prescription medications by young adults.

The Arizona Youth Survey surveys a sample of students every other year in the 8th, 10th and 12th grades, asking a multitude of questions about substance abuse and perceptions, the existence of risk factors and the existence of protective factors in a community. The 2008 Arizona Youth Survey shows that of the youth surveyed in Maricopa 36.8% have consumed alcohol within the past thirty days vs. 23.2% statewide. Thirty-day usage of marijuana usage is at 16.5% vs. 7.6% statewide and prescription medication use is 12.1% vs. 8.6%. All the Maricopa numbers have increased since the survey was conducted in 2006.

Research has shown that when a community has certain conditions present, the risk for drug and alcohol use by youth increases. We have identified these risk factors as present in Maricopa:

· Availability of alcohol to youth, especially through young adults providing alcohol to their underage peers
· Parents’ permissive attitudes toward underage drinking
· An abundance of vacant homes within the community where youth are able to party without supervision.
· Low neighborhood attachment and community disorganization
· Family management problems

In order to address these risk factors, and, thereby, reduce youth drug and alcohol abuse, the coalition proposes to implement the following strategies:

· Assist in bringing about the implementation of a social hosting ordinance. This ordinance will assist law enforcement in holding adults liable for minors who are in possession of alcohol.
· Increase community education through community forums and increased media awareness.
· Increase parent education regarding substance abuse through venues such as Parent University.
· Conduct a youth awareness campaign and peer led campaigns on school campuses as well as in the communities.
· Collaborate with other community entities in order to open and run a teen center that includes alternate activities for our youth.
· Expand the MOMS club model to help families whose children are aging out of the MOMS club parameters.
· Promote family activities.
· Increase access to resources and information within the community.

By implementing the above listed strategies, we as a community, have the opportunity and ability to combat the risk factors currently present. If left un-addressed, we are faced with the possibility that there will be an increase in substance abuse and abhorrent behaviors in the greater Maricopa area.

The M.A.S.H. Coalition welcomes your feedback and thoughts regarding the implementation of strategies within our community. You can join us for our monthly meeting on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. Due to scheduling conflicts, this month’s meeting will be held on January 22.

For further information, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact the coalition coordinator, Firouzeh Dittmar, at (602) 463-2650 or [email protected]. Dittmar has a degree in psychology from Arizona State University and has been serving the youth of Maricopa for the past two years.

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