Using Social Media to Protect Our Kids

HEALTH Town Hall Meeting on Underage DrinkingMay 1, 2009

Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment Survey

Columbia County, October, 2008

Average Age of First Alcohol – 12.5 Average Age of Regular Alcohol Use –

13.9 Percent Reporting Alcohol Use in Past

30 Days Grade 6 – 5.2% Grade 8 – 17.4% Grade 10 – 32% Grade 12 – 41.8%

Where Are Columbia County Teens Using Drugs and Alcohol?

At their own home – 46.2% At someone else’s home – 30.8% Open area, like a park, etc. –

11.5% Restaurant, bar – 7.7% In a Car 3.8%

Risk and Protective Factors for Teen Drug and Alcohol Use

RISK factors enable teen drug and alcohol use

PROTECTIVE factors help prevent teen drug and alcohol use

According to the student survey, what are the risk and protective factors in Columbia County?

Risk and Protective Factors in Columbia County:Our Strengths

Peer attitudes not favorable to Antisocial Behavior;

Perceived risk of Drug Use, Low Intent to Use

Low family

mobility and

transitions

School Success

and Commitm

ent

Opportunities and Rewards for Prosocial Involvement

Family and

Neighborhood

Attachment

Religiosity

Risk and Protective Factors in Columbia County:Our Obstacles

Community Norms

Favorable to Alcohol and Drug Use

Community

Disorganizati

on

Perceived

Availability of Drugs

Rebelliousness, Early Initiation of Drug Use &

Antisocial Behavior,

Interaction with Antisocial

Peers, Depressive Symptoms,

Peer Rewards for Antisocial

Behavior

Poor Family

Management and

Family Conflict

Sensation

seeking, Friends’ Use of Drugs, Gang

Involvement

Goals for Using Social Media Tools to Prevent Drug Abuse & Underage Drinking

Family Management

•Help parents communicate clear expectations about drug use and underage drinking•Help parents monitor teen behavior and activities.

Community Disorganization

•Use social media tools to connect and inform parents•Parent to parent contact for monitoring teen activities

Community Norms Favorable to

Alcohol & Drug Use

•Communicate community and parental disapproval of drug use and underage drinking•Reinforce messages about the risks of drug abuse and underage drinking

Why Social Media? It’s Fun! It Connects People and Strengthens Bonds It’s a Good Way to Share Information It’s Where Our Kids Are

Why Facebook? Hundreds of Columbia County parents use

Facebook. It’s a powerful tool for connecting parents

and information

Safe Teen Party Pack Contest!

HEALTH in Columbia County wants to help you have a Safe Teen Party!

Enter to win the Safe Teen Party Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner will receive all three gift certificates ($100 value) for a summer party for friends or family.

$50 Wal-Mart gift certificate $25 Dairy Queen gift certificate $25 Pizza Inn gift certificate

Take the Parent’s Pledge to Prevent Teen Drug and Alcohol Use; then, enter the contest online at the HEALTH in Columbia County blog.*

This contest is open to adults, ages 21 and over, in Columbia County, Arkansas. One entry per household please.  Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2009.

* Printed entry forms are available at select locations in Columbia County.