The Palo Alto Medical Foundation

What is PAMF’s connection to PADACC?
In 2002 PAUSD and Palo Alto Police Dept. representatives asked the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) to join with them in developing a community-based response to what was then perceived as a growing problem of alcohol and drug use among Palo Alto teens. PAMF has been an active member of the “Collaborative” ever since – lending both human and financial resources to PADACC’s initiatives.

What does PAMF contribute to PADACC?
Becky Beacom, manager of Health Education represents PAMF on PADACC. Until 2006, PAMF served as the lead fiscal agent and contracting agency with PADACC’s Social Norms project consulting group - MOST of Us Montana Social Norms Project in Bozeman , MT. As a large multi-specialty healthcare organization, PAMF has medical expertise and specific support services available for those dealing with or concerned about substance-related issues. PAMF’s Teen web site, www.pamf.org/teen , provides information and useful links on drug use in addition to many other teen health issues.

Top Goals Regarding Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Reduce underage drinking, drug use and related harm by furthering the work of PADACC. PAMF believes strongly that collaboration with other stakeholders in the community is essential to create effective, large-scale and sustainable change of this type.
Further develop PAMF’s own resources and responses to teen alcohol and drug use (enhance what is available on teen web site - increase interactivity, etc., expand and increase participation in PAMF’s Alcohol and Drug Use support groups, etc.)
Expand the work, strategies and principle into other communities that PAMF serves.

Other services:

PAMF hosts a weekly drop-in group for anyone in the community that has questions about their own or a loved-one’s alcohol and/or drug use. (Tuesday, 5:30 – 7:00 pm) – led by physician specialist and licensed clinical social worker.
PAMF’s Behavioral Health dept. provides assessment and on-going therapeutic support for patients with drug and alcohol –related health issues.
Teen web site – sections on alcohol and other substances; opportunity for teens to submit questions and have them answered by PAMF medical specialists.
Medical care by PAMF physicians.

Measuring progress:

Yearly surveys associated with the Social Norms project in Palo Alto schools are seen as the best way to evaluate progress with PADACC efforts. In addition, results from biennial California Healthy Kids Surveys will be useful for comparison of data, identifying trends, etc.
Increasing numbers in PAMF’s weekly Drug & Alcohol group will be a sign of increased public awareness and readiness for change.
Tracking trends on Teen web site – interactive modules, number of “hits”, feedback, etc. – serve as the main method for revaluating the success (usefulness) of the web areas.

Necessary resources
As a healthcare agency serving thousands of patients daily, PAMF recognizes the size and severity of alcohol-related health problems (regardless of age group). The leading causes of death, injury and illness among youth and adults in the US are related to lifestyle and particular health-risk behaviors usually begun early in life and sustained into adulthood (i.e. tobacco, alcohol and drug use, unhealthy diet and inactivity, etc.).

Prevention is the best approach to reducing future health problems and improving the health of the community. Partnerships of schools, families and community will be required to effect the large scale behavioral change that is necessary. So, PAMF needs committed community partners - first to recognize the problem and second, to commit to the work ahead and get the job done – together.

Contact the Palo Alto Medical Foundation

PADACC Member Becky Beacom - Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF)
E-mail: beacomb@pamf.org
Website: www.pamf.org