SAPC Issues/Actions

COVID-19 Update:

LA County Public Health is taking steps and coordinating with federal and state partners to address the threats posed by the Omicron variant. Last month, President Biden announced 500 million tests to be provided free to Americans in response to the Omicron variant's spread. At the state level, the Governor announced that all workers at health care settings will be required to receive booster doses by February 1, 2022. The state will also provide test kits to K-12 students over the coming weeks to help facilitate testing of students as they head back to school in January.

In LA County, DPH aligns its Health Officer Order with the state requirement for workers at healthcare facilities to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including receiving booster doses by February 1, 2022. Additionally, DPH strongly recommends that workers use higher grade masks such as surgical masks or respirators at locations or worksites where they are in close contact with others. With testing such an important strategy for keeping infected people from inadvertently spreading the virus, DPH began distributing 600,000 rapid tests to residents in our hardest-hit communities through a network of over 350 community organizations.

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

These are available at County-run sites and many community sites without an appointment. To find a vaccination site near you, to make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

Mental Health Resources:

LA County Dept. of Mental Health has partnered with iPrevail, a leader in online mental health care services, to provide customized support to Los Angeles County residents as they continue to re-emerge and recover from stress related to COVID-19, racial injustice, and other challenges. iPrevail brings traditional models of talk therapy to any Internet-connected device or smartphone. After taking a short assessment, LA County residents can tap into online mental health programs such as community support groups, on-demand coaching by trained peer specialists, and self-paced lessons on a variety of topics to improve wellbeing. Visit iPrevail and sign up for free at https://lacounty.iprevail.com

State/Federal News:

COVID-19 and Youth AOD Use: Environment Matters:
The new 2021 Monitoring the Future study, the national longitudinal survey of 8th, 10th and 12th graders found significant declines in marijuana use, including daily use, in 2021. This suggests changes may have had more to do with where teens were spending their time and social environments available than specific policy change around marijuana or attitudinal changes. Declines did not appear to be driven by changes in perceived risk, which continued to decline for marijuana.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2021/12/percentage-of-adolescents-reporting-drug-use-decreased-significantly-in-2021-as-the-covid-19-pandemic-endured

New Laws in 2022: The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is providing the following summary of some new alcoholic beverage laws that went into effect in 2021and other laws that will take effect in January 2022: https://www.abc.ca.gov/new-laws-2021-22/

Agency News:

2021 LAC Prevention in Review
Recap CNA Training/final Survey
Thank you to all agency staff that participated in last month’s Community Needs Assessment (CNA) training and survey feedback. With this CNA, SAPC will collect information around opinions on risk, availability/accessibility, consumption and reasons why people use marijuana, alcohol, heroin and methamphetamine and misuse prescription medications in your community. The information collected will help us with our planning substance use prevention work efforts in spring 2022 and onward.

December 2021 Prevention Qtly Mtg.
To view the last Prevention Quarterly Meeting where agencies shared the year’s tremendous work highlights. Click here: LA County Department of Public Health - Substance Abuse Prevention and Control - Prevention Providers

Event/Training Calendar:

Special Training by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PPTC):
Determinants of Health 360: Social, Commercial, and Legal Considerations for Prevention Substance Misuse
January 20, 2022
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pacific
Format: Panel Presentation with Discussion
To register:
https://www.pttcnetwork.org/centers/pacific-southwest-pttc/event/determinants-health-360-social-commercial-and-legal

January Health Calendar:
Family Fit Lifestyle Month: There is an abundance of great tips to get your families started on establishing a more active and healthy lifestyle.To get more great ideas and become an active participant in Family Fit Lifestyle Month, you can visit: www.letsmove.gov, http://www.usaffitfamily.com, http://kidshealth.org.

Intimate Violence Prevention:
Intimate partner violence is a serious public health problem in the United States that can have a profound impact on lifelong health, opportunity, and well-being. Teen dating violence (TDV), also called, “dating violence”, is an adverse childhood experience that affects millions of young people in the United States. Dating violence can take place in person, online, or through technology. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teendatingviolence/fastfact.html