 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Pamela Walters Goslar, PhD and Dana M. Reber, MSW. Trauma Administration, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, 350 West Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013, 602-406-5192, pgoslar@chw.edu
A variety of programs deal with alcohol use among adolescents and young adults. Other drug use is typically not addressed. The Trauma Center Wake Up! Youth Program is a four-session drug/alcohol education and injury prevention program of the American Trauma Society—Arizona Division. The program is designed to educate about the consequences of alcohol and drug use. The local justice court system refers youth to this program. A brief history is obtained during Session One. It includes questions regarding demographics, education, previous offenses, and drug/alcohol use. Youth are informed that the information is anonymous and will be used for a statistical study on substance behaviors of program participants. Results: Responses from 580 participants during 2002 were analyzed. 61.6% (n= 357) reported using more than one illicit drug in addition to alcohol. Between male and female multiple drug users no significant differences were found in age, types of drugs, ethnicity, alcohol/marijuana use, or exposure to drug overdose. Females were more likely to report fewer risk taking behaviors including DUI and lack of seatbelt use and to be first time offenders. Among those with previous offenses, males were more likely to report offenses beyond “minor in possession.” Conclusions: While females report less risk taking behaviors, these results stress the importance of including substance abuse education extending beyond alcohol to all participants in injury prevention projects. Such programs may become excellent sources for identifying and providing substance abuse treatment information to young people who may otherwise be missed by the system.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Youth, Drug Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Arizona Division of the American Trauma Society - Trauma Wake Up! Program
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.