Essay Example on Drug Abuse in California: Rising Rates & Prevention Efforts

Introduction

Drug abuse in California has a long history with addiction rates on the rise, along with failing in and out of legal status in the states. California has had different interventions since the creation of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) in 1978 to prevent and curb the rising rated of drug addiction. Within the state, the prevention efforts have been spearheaded by the federal government, local government, and non-governmental organizations with the changing of initiatives, laws, prohibition, as well as criminalization and decriminalization (Finnerty, 2003).

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

However, this paper will review SAY San Diego's Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Prevention Program in California. The reason for choosing SAY San Diego ATOD is based on its various achievements in preventing drug abuse in California among the youth. Also, it is designed in such a manner that it incorporates community partnerships and other systems in San Diego County.

Name and Location of SAY San Diego

In full, the program is described as Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) San Diego Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Prevention Program. SAY San Diego's main office is at 4775 View ridge Avenue, San Diego, California, 92123 / 858.565.4148. The program's website is [email protected], and Mary Baum is the contact person (SAY San Diego, 2020).

SAY San Diego's Elements

Within its structure, the specific elements of SAY San Diego's ATOD Prevention Program involve four primary elements that coordinate the community action of environmental activities that focus on community development. They include Central Region Prevention Coalition, North City Prevention Coalition, Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo Coalition, and San Diego Smoke-Free Project. SAY San Diego takes a holistic approach by addressing the needs of individuals and families rather than looking and a single problem (SAY, San Diego, 2020). in their activities, the program is both environmental and education-based with some of the activities including alcohol and substance abuse prevention, collaborative partnerships for immigrant families, students, military families, and parents, juvenile delinquency prevention and diversion, as well as mental health counseling, adult services, and youth development. Further, the program is a community-based and the target population includes children, youths, families, and the community as a whole. SAY San Diego is not known for charging for its services.

Program's Funding Sources

As a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, the most significant funds are from government contracts and grants, social enterprise, and private sectors (SAY San Diego, 2020). Also, SAY San Diego is funded through donations. For example, the program relies on corporate giving through employer matching gifts, events sponsorships, and in-kind partnerships.

History and Duration of SAY San Diego

SAY San Diego was started in 1971 and has been operating to help the people for more than 45 years (SAY San Diego, 2020). With only a budget of $1,500 and one employee, the programs aimed at making a difference in the community (SAY San Diego, 2020). During its founding, the objective was to provide drug abuse prevention programs and services to the youth; however, the goals have developed with more than 30 programs currently offered (SAY San Diego, 2020).

SAY San Diego's Functions, Staff, and Internship

In the formation of SAY San Diego's staff, it is composed of civic, business, and community leaders, volunteers, and other paid employees. Amongst its employees, the organization has over 15 board members. Their primary function is focused on guiding the organization's mission and vision, review programs, provide fiduciary control and support fundraising activities (SAY San Diego, 2020). However, there are no internship opportunities offered by the organization currently, something they should consider besides volunteers.

Program Outcomes

SAY San Diego has various claims of success. According to SAY's website, the program is positively impacting more than 50,000 people in San Diego. Specifically, the company claims to improve the lives of the people is, for example, it keeps around 4000 children in school through preschool and before and after school programs (SAY San Diego, 2020). Also, it works with over 19,000 people to ensure that drug abuse is prevented in San Diego communities (SAY San Diego, 2020). Other claims by the program include the collaboration and prevention services where it equips more 56,500 people with knowledge, they can use to develop the communities (SAY San Diego, 2020).

Research Methods

However, this programs its success through surveys conducted to the volunteers, employees, and the community. For example, according to various employee surveys, the program has been chosen as a Top Workplace Award Winner for more than five years consecutively (SAY San Diego, 2020). In such employee surveys, the programs use evidence-based data from other entities such as the San Diego Union-Tribune, which is responsible for awarding the top workplace institutions in San Diego. Since the company has a significant focus on the numbers as well, this makes it easier to retrieve surveys on how well their services and programs are performing in the community.

Personal Reactions

With the overall structure and set up of the program, I was surprised by the different services provided by the SAY San Diego ATOD Prevention program. For example, the program has managed to incorporate partnerships with the community, knowledge of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use prevention, and outcome-driven approaches to address the drug abuse problem among youths in San Diego County, California. Something that stood out during the study of this report is the program's ability to mobilize the residents into getting involved in the community and taking charge to deliver change to the system. While conducting research, I found that SAY San Diego was gold-rated as the top non-profit organization in 2019 and acquired a platinum award for the seal of transparency in the same year. This information significantly stood out about, SAY San Diego, amongst other drug abuse prevention programs situated in California.

References

Finnerty, B. A. (2003). Monitoring and reporting alcohol and drug use trends in California: The California Substance Abuse Research Consortium meetings. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 35(sup1), 119-125.

SAY San Diego. (2020). Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Program - SAY San Diego. Saysandiego.org. https://www.saysandiego.org/program/alcohol-tobacco-and-other-drug-prevention-program/