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LifeSkills Training Program Substance Abuse Council of Indian River County Indian River County CSAC B. PROGRAM NEED STATEMENT (Entire Section B not to exceed one age) 1 . a) What is the unacceptable condition requiring change? b) Who has the need ? c) Where do they live? d) Provide local, state, or national trend data, with reference source, that corroborates that this is an area of need. According to the Florida Youth Substance Abuse (FYSA) and PRIDE Surveys, TRC youth exhibit above average risk factors and levels of drug usage. These survey reveals the extent of substance abuse occurring amongst our young. Even though there has been a downward pattern in drug use trends over the past few years, IRC youth are still reporting drug use and delinquent behavior that will negatively affect their lives and our society. IRC youth key Drug-Use Trends from the FYSA Survey 2000 to the 2005 reflect the same observed pattern of reduced ATOD use as in the statewide survey. • The "past-30-day use of alcohol" by surveyed 9a' grade students declined from 39.3 % to 34.4%. • "Past-30-day use " of marijuana by surveyed 9`h grade students declined from 17.2% in 2000 to 11 .2 % in 05 (down from 12.6% in 04.) • Cigarette use among students declined sharply in the past years. In 2000, 22. 7% of surveyed students reported some use of cigarettes over the "past 30 days ", compared to 18 .4% in 2005 , but this is up from 14. 1 % in 2002. Attitudes toward Drug Use • Sixty four % of surveyed students reported that daily use of cigarettes poses a "great risk" of harm. • Fear of marijuana use declines as students get older, while the fear of cigarette use actually appears to increase. While 69.6% of surveyed middle school students (up from 67.3% in 04) believe regular marijuana use poses a "great risk" of harm, this number drops to 54.6 % ( up from 49.3% in 04) among high school students. In contrast, perceptions of harm associated with daily use of cigarettes rise from 62.4% among middle school students (up from 56.8% in 04) to 66.5% (down from 67.4% in 04) among high school students. • Disapproval of substance use appears to decline as students get older. For instance, disapproval of alcohol use 79. 1 % in middle school and 59.7% in high school (up from 76.2% in middle school and 52.2% in high school in 04), disapproval of cigarette use 89.2% in middle school and 72. 1 % in high school and disapproval of marijuana use (91 . 1 % in middle school and 74.01/o in high school) all decline between middle school and high school. Risk and Protective Factors • Surveyed students reported higher scores on the Transitions and Mobility (63) and Favorable Attitudes toward Antisocial Behavior (55) risk factor scales, compared to the national average of 50. This means that students in IRC are at greater risk for involvement in drug use and other antisocial behaviors due to a lack of long-term neighborhood connection, and due to students' acceptance of antisocial behaviors. Parental use/parental attitude towards ATOD/use also correlate with adolescent attitudes towards/use. These key findings illustrate the complexity of drug use and antisocial behavior among IBC's youth and the possible factors that may contribute to these activities. While some of the findings compare favorably to the national findings, Indian River County youth are still reporting drug use and delinquent behavior that will negatively affect their lives and exceed state and national averages. a) Identify similar programs that are currently serving the needs of your targeted population; b) Explain how these existing programs are under-serving the targeted population of your program. Local Law enforcement provides the DARE program to all 5a' grade students. No specific substance abuse prevention programs are directed at the middle schools. Additionally, New Horizons and DATA provide Student Support Specialist and services in the public middle schools. These agencies work with a very small, indicated population of students and do not serve the entire population. This remaining youth would receive no additional program services if the LST program were not available. Collaboration is a part of the services provided to universal populations. The LST program provides no duplication of services. 5