Crescenta Valley coalition working on strategic plan to curb teen drug use
From better educating parents aboutdrug use to creating informational fliers, stakeholders with the Crescenta Valley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition on Friday mulled over ideas to reduce substance abuse among youths.
Stakeholders from various local organizations, including religious, government, healthcare and education, met at Verdugo Hills Hospital to work on ways to tackle prescription drug, marijuana and alcohol use.
“We have to stand together,” Coalition President Matt Zakarian — a Glendale police officer — told the stakeholders.
The coalition is seeking suggestions from stakeholders to help establish a Strategic Action Plan, according to Executive Director Suzy Jacobs.
Linda Evans, former Crescenta Valley High School principal, suggested the city establish a “social-hosting’ ordinance in Glendale to reduce underage drinking. The ordinance would make a party host responsible for paying a fine if underage drinking is discovered at their event.
“Perhaps this is the direction we need to go because, as in my experience as the high school principal, I can tell you that one major source of alcohol in our community is in the home,” she told the group.
She recalled a party in which a Montrose mother was charging partygoers to attend her party and drink alcohol.
Other members suggested better information should be provided to doctors and dentists on issuing prescription pills to youth.
Displaying tips about the dangerous effects of prescription drug use on bus billboards was another suggestion, as was tapping the power of social media to reach out to teens.
The group is scheduled to reconvene to discuss the strategic plan in October.
“We can’t do this alone,” Zakarian said.
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