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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS2 - Drug Program Presentation7;kl TIIYfI OPERATION CLEAN S.W.E.E.P. Community College AOD Prevention Project Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, serves the entire South Orange County area, including the contiguous communities of Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. With an annual attendance of 23,000 students, Saddleback has a long history of working to reduce and prevent alcohol and other drug - related problems in the South County community and especially among 18 -24 year olds who attend as transfer students, on their way to attending a university. As is the case with many community colleges, Saddleback serves an increasingly diverse and disproportionately disadvantaged population, with many adult students who are first or second generation immigrants, women who are .re-careering", and young adults who have had some involvement with the criminal justice system. Consistent with the Mission and Charter of the California Community College System, Saddleback is dedicated to providing educational opportunity to the many thousands of young adults who are seeking employment skills and pro - social opportunities for personal growth. The Human Service Department at Saddleback has a long and distinguished history of educating and training professional and paraprofessionals in the AOD field. Founded in 1976, the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program is one of the oldest and among the largest and most active in all of California. Over 300 students participate in the Department each year. The vast majority of these are young adults who have undertaken a personal process of self- discovery and growth known as °recovery", many of whom want to work in a very organized and deliberate way to improve community conditions that can support "binge° or hazardous drinking and illegal drug use. For years, the Human Services Department has worked with the County, local agencies and dedicated individuals to improve the quality of life for the residents of South County by addressing the broad spectrum of problems associated with AOD use. OPERATION CLEAN S.W.E.E.P. Students Working to Expand Environmental Prevention Saddleback College Human Services Department Dick Wilson, Michael Merryman, Kathy Burnham & Carol Schuh Mission: Operation Clean S.W.E.E.P. will implement educational and environmental strategies for the prevention of alcohol and other drug problems affecting the college population and its surrounding communities by leveraging the combined efforts of students, faculty and staff to build positive and effective policies and community norms. Concept : The Human Services Department will coordinate a three - pronged approach to changing the underlying conditions that shape alcohol and drug problems in the community. The major goals of the project are to: 1. Implement a multi - disciplinary policy team to review, refine and update the campus policies regarding alcohol and other drugs, to include specific objectives of de- normalizing underage alcohol use and high -risk party be behavior. 2. Conduct a through assessment of alcohol and drug risk factors for Saddleback College Students, making the collection and assessment of of data an ongoing class project for the Mentor and Prevention Assistance Certificate Program. 3. Mobilize the talents and resources of Drug Court graduates (100) , Horizon Schools and Juvenile Detention participants (120) and also community -based organizations such as Sober Living by the Sea (60) to educate and advocate for changes (i.e. Spring Break in Newport Beach). No one has a bigger stake in changing the social, economic, environmental and other factors that shape policies and social norms around alcohol and drug use in South County than the community of young adults who are in recovery, taking an active part in the educational experience at college. These highly- motivated people are "clean and sober" and because they are involved with the Human Services Department are open to learning and implementing effective strategies for reducing alcohol and drug problems. Some 100 students each year come into the formal course of study during which they incorporate sober students, prevention classes and previous work results. The Task Force serves to coordinate the students for assessment, consensus building, strategy development and community action. The problem is more serious than you think/ The impact is greater than you realize We've got To Chan e` Behavior by Changing The Norm/the Environment Campus /Community Partnerships National Networks Students Involvement in Solution Policies BrieFComprehensive, Effectively Publicized & Enforced Everyone Involved Specific Example(s): - Marketing /Advertising Drink Specials - Spring Break Excursion & Events -44% of all college students binge -112 frequently "drink to get drunk" Deathlinjury and 2 -5x rate of academic failure, violence, unsafe sex, police trouble Spending more on Alcohol than text books ($300 vs. 440 -A's (3 drinks per week) vs D1F's (11 drinks per week) 2nd Hand Binge Effects 87% Experienced assaults, sexual harassment, vandalism, impaired sleep /study OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP We've Created an Traditional Responses Haven't Worked Student deaths have occurred on campuses where an alcohol ban was in effect Prohibition Complex problem/ can't place all responsibility on . students Environment that Contributes to the Problem The Alcohol Beverage Industry spends $2 billion per year on advertising by age 18, young people have seen 100,000+ commercials Promotions: bladder busts; free shots; $1 pitchers, etc. Abercrombie & Fitch Adult attitudes/buying for, providing alcohol to minors OPERATION CLEAN S.W.E.E.P. Saddleback College Human Ser �TjCes Department SCU7H CRANGE CCUNTY CC VNILA—! 30ARD oF TRUSTEES Car-,thyFor--re. -bCml;; Mar-:a %McNker. Iarz, Miner, .,crr S. Williacs -,37ee Rilnari , ,ri;. SADULEBACK LIXIa 2eaxn, PraS;dant Funded by Orange County Health Care Agency - ADEPT