Substance Abuse Prevention and Control
Prevention Monthly Briefing
March 2021 | Issue #2
Prevention Monthly Briefing
Table of Contents:
Team/Person of the Month!
SAPC Prevention thanks the SAPC Prevention Network for supporting youth and young adults with virtual programming, resources, and outreach efforts during the pandemic.
We would also like to thank the youth who helped us host last year’s 2020 Prevention events such as the National Prevention Week and National Recovery Month.
Your voices remain critical to our understanding of alcohol and drug related problems and primary prevention strategies that are culturally relevant and community-driven.
Please thank your respective youth who have participated in last year’s efforts towards your public health advocacy and primary prevention efforts for SAPC Prevention.
For a resource on crisis intervention services and best practices, click here.
For a resource on crisis intervention services and best practices, click here.
SAPC Issues/Actions
On Jan. 26th LA County marked the One-Year Anniversary of First COVID-19 Case:
Since then, over 1 million cases have been reported and nearly 16,000 deaths. We have also learned how it spreads and how to prevent the spread. Residents are urged to continue not to gather in crowds, stay home when sick, wear a face covering and maintain physical distance from others when outside the home. Link here
LA County Elementary Schools are Cleared to Open:
The state permits elementary schools to reopen when a County reaches an adjusted case rate of 25 per 100,000. On February 16th, LA County informed schools that it had reached this threshold. Link here
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted this week to provide more transport to vaccine sites and easier access to vaccines for seniors and other vulnerable populations. Link here
Data/Updates on SAPC Prevention Priority Goals:
Marijuana Use: The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a nationwide public health surveillance system administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. As of October 15, 2020, data are being abstracted from 49 hospitals. The profile below presents data on ED visits related to marijuana.
Marijuana was the 2nd most common substance involved in substance-related ED visits. Link here
Methamphetamine: Overdose deaths rise sharply, where nationwide-NIH-supported study finds the biggest increase among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Link here
Since then, over 1 million cases have been reported and nearly 16,000 deaths. We have also learned how it spreads and how to prevent the spread. Residents are urged to continue not to gather in crowds, stay home when sick, wear a face covering and maintain physical distance from others when outside the home. Link here
LA County Elementary Schools are Cleared to Open:
The state permits elementary schools to reopen when a County reaches an adjusted case rate of 25 per 100,000. On February 16th, LA County informed schools that it had reached this threshold. Link here
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted this week to provide more transport to vaccine sites and easier access to vaccines for seniors and other vulnerable populations. Link here
Data/Updates on SAPC Prevention Priority Goals:
Marijuana Use: The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a nationwide public health surveillance system administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. As of October 15, 2020, data are being abstracted from 49 hospitals. The profile below presents data on ED visits related to marijuana.
Marijuana was the 2nd most common substance involved in substance-related ED visits. Link here
Methamphetamine: Overdose deaths rise sharply, where nationwide-NIH-supported study finds the biggest increase among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Link here
Non-SPA Coalition News:
LA DAPA’s General Community Committee met on Feb. 18th virtually. Its meeting agenda included sub-committee reports by respective chairs.
The Communication committee reported progress on its statistical graphics to be published on social media. The Policy Committee reported on the LA City’s initiatives of the Restaurant Beverage Program (RBP) and Deemed Approved Ordinance.
A letter to the LA City’s Ad Hoc Jobs Committee was drafted with an endorsement and recommendations for the RBP aimed to minimize alcohol harm to community and minors.
The LGBT subcommittee meets the first Friday of the month at 4:30pm and Cassandra Merez as Chair of the committee invites interested person to join the work of this group.
For more information on LA DAPA and its subcommittees, contact Maurina Cintron, email: mcintron@publicstrategies.org
Agency News (CPS, APS)
For a recent historical review of one of SAPC’s Prevention Network agencies, the Los Angeles Community Coalition (CoCo) gives readers a look into the many facets of alcohol and other drugs prevention work.
For example, in 2020, CoCo members successfully revoked Monarch Liquor Store’s liquor license, helping to transform it into a market offering healthy foods and essential goods.
Community Coalition - A Transformation Story: Liquor Store --> Market | Facebook
Upcoming Events and Deadlines:
March 22-28, 2021: National Drug and Alcohol Fact Week (NDAFW)
Join the National Institute on Drug Abuse for NDAFW and help share facts about drugs, alcohol, and addiction in your community. Sign up for emails from NDAFW for the latest news, planning tips, and free resources to support your NDAFW activities and other efforts.
Link Here
April 7 - National Alcohol Screening Day. National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) is an initiative first launched in 1999 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The aim of this event is to increase public awareness that alcohol abuse and alcoholism (in which a person is dependent on alcohol), are recognized disorders which can be treated. Link here
March 22-26, 2021 - LGBT Health Awareness Week (National) - Link here
April 7 - National Alcohol Screening Day. National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) is an initiative first launched in 1999 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The aim of this event is to increase public awareness that alcohol abuse and alcoholism (in which a person is dependent on alcohol), are recognized disorders which can be treated. Link here
March 22-26, 2021 - LGBT Health Awareness Week (National) - Link here
Previous Issues:
February 2022 | Issue #13
January 2022 | Issue #12
December 2021 | Issue #11
November 2021 | Issue #10
October 2021 | Issue #9
September 2021 | Issue #8
August 2021 | Issue #7
July 2021 | Issue #6
June 2021 | Issue #5
May 2021 | Issue #4
April 2021 | Issue #3
March 2021 | Issue #2
February 2021 | Issue #1
January 2022 | Issue #12
December 2021 | Issue #11
November 2021 | Issue #10
October 2021 | Issue #9
September 2021 | Issue #8
August 2021 | Issue #7
July 2021 | Issue #6
June 2021 | Issue #5
May 2021 | Issue #4
April 2021 | Issue #3
March 2021 | Issue #2
February 2021 | Issue #1
