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Communities Against Substance Abuse has launched bold, proactive prevention based collaborative strategies for rebuilding and strengthening San Diego communities.
The following is a sampling of successful efforts made possible through the strength of community and application of public health strategies, which have led to effective and sustainable reductions in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and abuse.
Analyzing the Community � Identifying the problems
- Secured the adoption by the Board of Trustees of the Grossmont Union High School District, Santee, and Lemon Grove School Districts to include all Drug Free Communities Four Core Measure in the bi-Annual, California Healthy Kids Survey.
- Measures include, age of onset, frequency of use, perception of risk and perception of parental disapproval. (2006 � Present)
- Conducted youth purchase surveys regarding tobacco sales to minors in the East Region resulting in the adoption of the first municipal Tobacco Retailer License in the County (2004), and ultimately reduced sales of tobacco to youth by 88%. (2004 � 2009)
Community Capacity Building � Mobilizing and building community capacity
- Appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Drug Free Communities to mentor and build the capacity of three community Coalitions dedicated to the prevention of substance abuse and sustainable community change in suburban and rural communities. Communities Against Substance Abuse successfully mentored the Santee Solutions Coalition (2004-2006) of Santee, California, which resulted in the awarding of a 5-year drug free communities grant of $500,000, (2006) the Spring Valley Youth & Family Coalition, (2006-2008) an unincorporated community of San Diego County, and the Julian Backcountry Coalition, a small, rural, historic gold mining town nestled in the Southern California Mountains approximately 60 miles northeast of San Diego. (2009)
- Worked with the East County Superior Courts and the San Diego County District Attorney’s office and the East County Hospitality Resource Panel to ensure rigorous sentencing options by increasing the consequences for alcohol sales to minors. Sentencing options included increased fines and mandatory California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control certified Responsible Beverage Sales and Service training. Since 2007, thirty-three violators have been sentenced to complete a certified program. Through this program, Superior Court Judges Deann Salcido and Carolyn Caretti were recognized for their dedication to the reduction of underage drinking by the 76th Assembly District and the San Diego Alcohol Policy Panel. (2008)
- Established a joint sponsorship with California Alcoholic Beverage Control, East County Hospitality Resource Panel and Communities Against Substance Abuse monthly Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) classes, a first monthly class program in the County. Since its initiation, more than 1000 alcohol sales and service employees in the East region have been trained. (2007 � Present)
- Established the first East County Drug Paraphernalia Taskforce under the leadership of the Communities Against Substance Abuse Board of Directors. The Taskforce is a collaboration of law enforcement, community leadership, District and City Attorneys, and business to address the illegal sales of Drug Paraphernalia. The ultimate goal is to encourage a strong contingency of community members in partnership with taskforce members to “Clear the Smokescreen on Drug Paraphernalia using a three-prong approach, which includes; amend State Health & Safety Code, strengthen local business permit processes, and explore options regarding Federal Code regulation drug paraphernalia. (2007 � Present)
- Expanded The Discovery Club and established the East County After School Alliance, providing no cost after school programs for at-risk youth during critical hours in the Cities of El Cajon and Santee through the coordination of city recreation departments, school districts and youth serving organizations resulting in 250 youth participating daily throughout the year. Programs included Substance abuse prevention, academic achievement and recreational activities for fifth through ninth grade students. (2004 � 2009)
- Established the first, ethnically diverse, high school age public health internship program (Students Together Against Alcohol and Drugs). Youth serve as public health interns focusing on substance abuse prevention and health related issues through leadership training, community service, policy development and media advocacy. Since 2000, 180 students from every high school in the Grossmont Union High School District have completed one-year internships addressing tobacco control, underage drinking, availability of drug paraphernalia, marijuana use, tobacco and alcohol industry exploitation of youth, and prescription drug abuse. STAAND (links to STAAND under How to Help Tab) interns have been recognized by the Grossmont Healthcare District as “Healthcare Hero� of the year and channel 7/39 Inspirational Students, San Diego Prevention Coalition, Red Ribbon Prevention Youth of the Year and Friday Night Live Club of the year. (2000-Present)
- Facilitated the adoption of one of the first Crime Free Multi-Family Housing Certification programs in the county, a program designed to promote safe and drug-free housing in the City of El Cajon with coordination of the Resident Manager Support System (a Communities Against Substance Abuse project, 1992 - 2001), the El Cajon Police Department and the Mayor’s office. (1996 � Present)
- Established the first alternative, no cost, after school program, The Discovery Club, in the Cajon Valley Union School District, serving multi-ethnic, high-risk youth, operating on six school sites, and three recreation centers with 450 students participating daily. Programs included substance abuse prevention, academic achievement, and recreational activities for grades three through nine. (1996-2004)
- Consulted with Congressman, Brian Bilbray, preparing witnesses and research for hearing of the Government Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, “Responding to the Drug Crisis in Southern California. (2000)
- Spearheaded a comprehensive planning process resulting in the prevention strategic plan for the City of El Cajon, a first in the county. “The El Cajon Substance Abuse Prevention Plan� was officially recognized and adopted by the City Council and made possible by more than 105 ethnically diverse community members participating in a community-wide process. (1999)
- Established the East County Hospitality Resource Panel made up of the hospitality industry, law enforcement, residents, prevention, and health care leaders. The panel addressed solutions to high risk business practices. The panel developed resources for alcohol licensees using model practices to include, Responsible Beverage Sales and Service training, retailer business practices assessments, special event training where alcohol is served or sold, and prevention of use and sales of drugs within the Alcoholic and Beverage Control licensed business. From 2004 � 2009, 100 confidential assessments were completed with 34 follow-up management/owner technical support reviews. (1996 - Present)
- Pioneered an award winning neighborhood action project, Neighbor to Neighbors with schools, parks, police and residents to reduce neighborhood gang violence and increase resident involvement in building crime free neighborhoods. Project success was recognized by the Governor of California, League of Cities Award. (1996)
- Implemented the first in the county “Cops in Shops� and Responsible Beverage Service program in El Cajon, which was recognized by the County of San Diego, Alcohol and Drug Services, �Drawing the line on Underage Drinking.� (1996)
Implementation & Evaluation - Measuring the impact of evidence-based prevention strategies, programs, policies and practices
Changing physical environments that reduce risks:
- Adoption and implementation of 100% smoke free health care campuses, Sharp Healthcare System, (2005 & 2006) Palomar Pomerado Healthcare District, (2008) Tri-City Hospital, (2009) and Alvarado Hospital. (2009) These changes directly alter policies governing the physical environments of each campus by eradicating exposure to second hand smoke, encourage cessation by smokers, and promoting healthier employees.
- Adoption by the El Cajon Police Department, additional restrictions/requirements for all new alcohol license applicants in the City of El Cajon. (2005-2009)
- Adoption of 100% smoke free college campuses by the Grossmont/Cuyamaca Community College District, the first multi-campus college district in the State of California, eliminating exposure to second hand smoke. (2008)
- STAAND interns played an active role with law enforcement and code enforcement as youth decoys for underage alcohol sales having a direct influence on a reduction of alcohol sales from 58% to 3.7% in the City of El Cajon. (2007-2008)
- Recognition by the City of El Cajon an expansion of its tobacco retailer licensing ordinance definitions of businesses selling “tobacco paraphernalia� to further restrict the density of ‘smoke shops�. (2007)
- Execution by the City of El Cajon, a zoning ordinance to regulate the number, location and density of tobacco retail outlets in the downtown El Cajon redevelopment area thereby addressing the proliferation of “smoke shops� that sell illegal drug paraphernalia under the guise of tobacco paraphernalia. (2006)
- Adoption of smoke free college campus, with designated areas, by Mesa College, the first college campus in San Diego County reducing exposure to second hand smoke. (2006)
- Adoption by the City of El Cajon to adopt a conditional use permit (CUP) restricting the density of alcohol outlets in the Redevelopment Area. The CUP applies to on-sale restaurants and bars as well as off-sale, retail or package stores. (1999-2000)
Modifying or changing policies at a legislative or organization level to encourage systemic environmental changes that reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
- Adoption of the first municipal Tobacco Retailer License in San Diego County (2004), ultimately reducing sales of tobacco to youth by 75%. (2004 � 2008)
- Adoption by the City of El Cajon and the first municipality in San Diego County, third in the State of California to execute a comprehensive secondhand smoke ordinance. The ordinance extends protection from secondhand smoke to all public areas, including sidewalks, restaurant patios, shopping centers and common area of multi-unit housing. (2007)
- Implementation of a 100% smoke free parks ordinance in the City of La Mesa (2006) and City of Lemon Grove (2009).
- Adoption of 100% tobacco and alcohol free parks ordinance in the City of El Cajon. (2004)
- Execution of the Social Host Ordinance designed to reduce youth access to alcohol in social settings in the City of Santee (1998-2000). Communities Against Substance Abuse Recognized by the San Diego County Policy Panel on Youth Access to Alcohol for “outstanding leadership to prevent underage drinking.� (2001)
- Other policy changes spearheaded include El Cajon ordinances restricting cigarette vending machines, (1992) restriction of smoking in restaurants, prior to the California State Ban, (1994) and the elimination of tobacco self service, also prior to a State Ban. (1997)
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