Drug Prevention Initiative

The Initiative

New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, in collaboration with The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, is introducing a new initiative designed to encourage and support parents in having meaningful and effective conversations with their children to prevent drug use.

Launching November 2017, this effort includes information regarding substance abuse, tools such as a guide and conversation starters (see below), as well as resources where families may obtain additional information and counsel. Materials are available at YMCAs throughout New Jersey.

As a charitable organization, the Y is focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Supporting parents and the community in their efforts to raise healthy, confident, connected children is core to the Y’s mission to help all people grow in spirit, mind and body.

BACKGROUND

Early in 2017, the New Jersey Legislature passed a joint resolution that was signed into law, designating a Night of Conversation in November of each year. The purpose of the law is to create awareness about substance use and to help families initiate conversations about drug and alcohol addiction. While the Night of Conversation helps to bring this issue to the forefront of parents’ consciousness, New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey wanted to do more, to not only start the conversation, but sustain it throughout the year.

STATISTICS

Prescribed opioid use before high school graduation is independently associated with a 33% increase in the risk of future opioid misuse after high school, especially among individuals who have little to no history of drug use.⁽¹⁾
Heroin use has more than doubled among 18 to 25 year olds in the past decade, as heroin has become a cheap alternative to prescription painkillers.⁽²⁾
From 1999 to 2015, the death rate of teenagers overdosing on drugs more than doubled.⁽³⁾
In New Jersey, there has been a 214% increase in deaths due to heroin/morphine since 2010.⁽⁴⁾
According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 20% of 12 to 20 year olds reported drinking alcohol in the past month.⁽⁵⁾
Drug use can be part of a pattern of risky behavior and when a teen develops a pattern of repeated use, it can pose serious health risks such as mental health problems.⁽⁶⁾

SOURCES:

(1) Miech, Richard, Ph.D., et. al. “Prescription Opioids in Adolescence and Future Opioid Misuse” Aug. 26, 2015. Web. Sept. 20, 2017. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/136/5/e1169

(2) “Today’s Heroin Epidemic” Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC
Web. Sept. 21, 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/heroin/index.html

(3) “Drug Overdose Deaths among Adolescents Aged 15-19 in the United States: 1999-2015” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web. August 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db282.htm

(4) Stirling, Stephen. “Overdose deaths skyrocket in N.J. as opioid epidemic proves unassailable.” NJ.com. 12.07.2016: 4 pages. Web. Sept. 21, 2017.http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/12/overdose_deaths_skyrocket_in_nj_as_opioid_epidemic_continues_its_boom.html

(5) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.83B—Alcohol Use, Binge Alcohol Use, and Heavy Alcohol Use in Past Month among Persons Aged 12 to 20, by Demographic Characteristics: Percentages, 2014 and 2015. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab2-83b

(6) “Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide” National Institute on Drug Abuse Web. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide/introduction