PADACC Background
Palo Alto Drug and Alcohol Community Collaborative
Our Roots
In the spring of 2002, concerned staff of Palo Alto Unified School District, and representatives from the Palo Alto Police Department, City of Palo Alto, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Adolescent Counseling Services, Palo Alto Council of PTAs and many parents and other citizens formed a collaborative to reduce alcohol and drug use among Palo Alto’s youth. Since that time, the Palo Alto Drug and Alcohol Community Collaborative (PADACC) has met monthly and engaged actively in the community to raise awareness of substance abuse issues through the following:
Schools - Since the Spring of 2004, PAUSD secondary school students have participated in annual surveys to:
- establish an accurate measure of their alcohol and drug use
- examine student perceptions of substance use among their peers
- track progress on efforts to reduce these behaviors.
Over the past 5 years, individual schools have used their data in creative ways to market positive messages to students, parents and teachers that the majority of Palo Alto’s teens are making healthy decisions when it comes to alcohol, drug use or related risk behaviors. Click on examples of some of the student posters that reinforce these messages.
Survey Results
Source: Youth Web Surveys for Jordan, JLS, & Terman middle schools, Gunn & Palo Alto high schools
Student Involvement
Students have participated in a variety of focus groups, town hall meetings and panel discussions with their parents regarding laws, safety and other issues regarding substance use. They have received information about the effects of alcohol and drug use, the rules surrounding it and the true statistics (as opposed to peer group perceptions) on its use in the teen community. Student leaders have emphasized their desire for improved communication with adults around these issues as well as more opportunities for meaningful discussion at school about issues relevant to their health and social lives.
Parent Education
Numerous opportunities for parent education about teen substance use (and related risks) have been created, with hundreds of Palo Alto parents attending over the years. In the spring of 2005, a panel from the Palo Alto Police Department, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, and the Trauma Center at Stanford Hospital provided information about the laws concerning underage drinking, driving under the influence and the consequences for students and families. In May 2007 a unique student-driven event called “Under Our Own Influence” was created to bring parents, community members, and students together and, using the latest technology, collect instantaneous responses from participants, discuss the results and speak honestly with one another about the issues of substance use and abuse. In the fall of 2007, Dean Blumberg, PhD (Kaiser Permanente, Chemical Dependency Program) spoke to a large audience of parents about the neurological effects of alcohol use on the development of the teenage brain. The feedback given at each of these events was clear, “We want more time for events like this and furthering this important discussion.”
In 2008 PADACC brought Dr. Peter "D" to share his nationally recognized expertise regarding Media Literacy and Alcohol. Again, the feedback was clear, "Keep bringing this type of education to us - we need more knowledge about the impact media has on our kids".
Publications
Gunn and Palo Alto High Schools Parent Teacher Student Association mailed a booklet entitled “Underage Drinking and Driving” to families of all high school students in 2005, with additional mailings to incoming freshmen families in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Reducing Alcohol Availability
The Palo Alto Police Department has promoted the strict prohibition of the sale of alcohol to minors. They have conducted decoy operations at local stores and restaurants to encourage retailers to adhere to minimum drinking age laws. Local youth have participated in these efforts and have helped to inform others that selling alcohol to minors has serious consequences.
Social Host Ordinance
Joining other cities in this region, the City of Palo Alto formally adopted a “social host ordinance” in the fall of 2007. The ordinance provides for civil and/or criminal enforcement if parents allow a “party” where alcohol is being consumed by (4 or more) persons under the age of 21.
PADACC Website
Through the DADS grant and the efforts of collaborative members, this PADACC website was developed. The site provides information, links and resources for education, counseling and other services. The website also includes information, ideas and strategies that parents can use in talking with their children and other parents on the subject of substance use.
Intervention
Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) provides assessment and treatment for students involved in substance abuse and use. The school district funds three sessions for a student and their family whenever a student is using drugs or alcohol at school or at a school-related activity. After the initial three assessment meetings with ACS, a recommendation is made for any necessary continued treatment. Scholarships and sliding scale support is available to ensure that all students can receive the necessary help.
Next Steps
PADACC has goals to:
- continue growing the good health that exists in our community by surveying to gain accurate data and then educating to shift misperception to truth
- produce community educational programs
- find future funding to support our collaborative efforts and a project director
- build an active, strong community collaborative
To get involved and for further information feel free to contact Karin Bloom, PADACC Project Director.
* Surveys at all 5 schools were conducted in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009; 3 schools were surveyed in 2007.
** Refers to Non-Use of alcohol in a typical month.
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