In 2011, Washington voters approved Initiative 1183 that
increased the availability of liquor in our communities including among youth. Though no liquor revenue was earmarked for underage
drinking prevention, voters were assured that stores would check IDs. What was not anticipated was the amount of
liquor theft that would occur. Stolen
liquor often ends up in the hands of minors
In 2012, Washington voters approved Initiative 502 that will
increase the availability of marijuana in our communities including among
youth. Though underage marijuana use
prevention is to receive some of the anticipated revenue, prevention funding is
needed now if we are serious about preventing youth use. I-502 revenue will not cover all of our state’s
prevention needs.
That’s why it’s surprising and disheartening that the
Washington State Legislature eliminated a statewide, evidence-based substance
abuse prevention program during this year’s session. The Community Mobilization program helped
communities throughout our state address local problems that contributed to
youth drug use. Instead of increasing
funding for youth substance abuse prevention during a time of major drug policy
changes that will negatively impact youth, lawmakers chose just the opposite.
Community Mobilization was part of the Department of
Commerce (healthy kids who are at low risk for dropping out of school are good
for the economy) and here is a letter from the Deputy Director to
stakeholders.
August 20, 2013
Dear Community
Mobilization contractors, policy board chairs, policy board members, and
community stakeholders:
I wish to express my
deep appreciation to each of you for your service to our great State of
Washington over the past 24 years.
While I do not have
the history with the program that you have, please know that I value the
efforts and progress which were made in solving the problems of substance abuse
and violence in every county in the state. I know from reading the reports and
talking with your program manager, Ramona Leber, that you affected real change
in people's lives and in your individual counties.
The Strengthening
Families Program data alone proved that the intervention of a seven-week class
where parents and youth came together and learned to run family meetings, as
well as how to respectfully speak and listen to one another, proved to result
in less family tension. Research indicates this reduces problematic
behaviors.
Equally impressive are
the ways in which your program design engaged local community stakeholders from
various sectors in looking at data and thoughtfully selecting evidence-based
programs and strategies. Community Mobilizers showed leadership coordinating
the National Drug Take Back effort, successfully bringing 3,000 community
members together to provide input to Governor Locke’s School Safety Summit,
participating in the “Let's Draw the Line” state campaign to reduce underage
drinking, and worked side-by-side with schools and community groups to prevent
youth use of marijuana and other drugs. The Meth Action Teams served as
an impressive example of the power of linking prevention, intervention, and
suppression efforts to solve what had been an out-of-control drug problem
wreaking havoc on our communities. Under the combined leadership of the county
Community Mobilization coordinator and the county Sheriff, these teams changed
policies around precursor drug availability and, as a result, the problem of
meth labs in Washington’s homes virtually disappeared.
For many of you, the
Community Mobilization grant was not just a grant; it was a passion and a
calling. You understood the importance of training and created a comprehensive
curriculum, "The Art and Science of Community Organizing" for
prevention professionals. You valued cultural competency and provided training
that resulted in greater cultural awareness and formed true working
relationships with diverse partners.
You worked to leverage
every substance abuse and violence prevention dollar wisely and worked
collaboratively with the Washington State Prevention Redesign Initiative, the
Washington State Family Policy Council Public Health and Safety Networks, and
numerous other initiatives to make the community a safer place. Ms. Leber also
noted that when the federal funds were eliminated and state funds reduced, you
made the collective decision to keep every county funded so that all residents
in Washington State could continue to have access to Community Mobilization
programming and coordination.
Your work has resulted
in healthier youth, families, and communities. On behalf of the Department of
Commerce and the citizens of Washington State, I thank you for your years of
service.
Sincerely,
Deputy Director
