|
|
|
|
|
Duane C. McBride, PhD1, Yvonne Terry-McElrath, MSA2, Mark D. Boward, MA1, Curt VanderWaal, PhD3, Jamie F. Chriqui, PhD, MHS4, and Jaana Myllyluoma, PhD5. (1) Department of Behavioral Science, Andrews University, 123 Nethery Hall, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, 616-471-3576, mcbride@andrews.edu, (2) Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Survey Research Center, Room 2341, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2321, (3) The Institute for the Prevention of Addictions, Andrews University, 123 Nethery Hall, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, (4) Center for Health Policy and Legislative Analysis, The MayaTech Corporation, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 900, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3921, (5) Director, Baltimore Site Operations, Battelle, 2707 Manhatten Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215
A number of individuals in the drug policy debate have called for the adoption of a public health policy approach to illicit drug use. This perspective argues for prevention, harm reduction and treatment as humane and cost-effective alternatives to arrest and incarceration of non-violent illicit drug users. Drug policy implementation occurs on a local level, taking place within the framework of local resources and community decisions. Community health agencies can play an influential role in this decision making process. As a part of the ImpacTeen project, a national sample of health agency key informants was drawn from communities surrounding schools in the Monitoring the Future study sample from 1999-2002. Analysis examines the extent of health agency involvement in planning and advocacy for drug abuse prevention and treatment, including involvement in policy alternatives such as medical marijuana, needle exchange, drug courts, and drug treatment instead of incarceration. Initial data show that, of health agencies engaged in community needs assessment and planning, the majority were involved in drug education, with slightly lower percentages involved in treatment planning and screening for drugs at agency clinics. Between one-quarter and one-third of agencies were actively involved in promoting policy alternatives such as treatment instead of incarceration and needle exchange. Very few agencies were involved in the medical marijuana debate. Data also will be presented on regional and community socio-demographic variation. Knowledge of community health agency involvement in the drug policy debate is a key component of evaluating the feasibility of alternative drug policy implementation.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Drug Abuse
Related Web page: www.impacteen.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.