The Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership is interested in getting feedback from community members about the attitudes and perceptions of underage youth using alcohol and/or other drugs. We realize that you are a valuable source of information and the information will help the coalition to address alcohol and drug use in the community.
In 2006, Madison Middle School was awarded a Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant from the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse to form a community coalition to prevent underage drinking in our community.
The Madison Middle School community qualified to receive the grant because the results of the Healthy Youth Survey 2004 and 2006, which is a statewide survey of students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12, indicated that 23 percent of Madison Middle School 8th graders reported consuming an alcoholic beverage within a 30 day period prior to the survey.
In late November, a survey will be sent out to 1,233 community members to gather information on attitudes, knowledge and perceptions around this issue.
The coalition will use the community information to develop community strategies and solutions. The survey data is important for understanding the issue surrounding underage use of alcohol and other drugs in the community and we strongly encourage community members to participate.
The community members were selected randomly and will receive a survey via the United Stated States Postal Service which will include a postage paid return envelope.
The results of survey will be distributed throughout the community after the data analysis and community members will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the results.
If you have questions about the community survey and/or information about the coalition, contact Renae Gaines at 206-396-2945 or rtgaines@seattleschools.org. Visit www.StartTalkingNow.org to find additional resources to reduce underage drinking.
The Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership is a community coalition funded by Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) and the Federal Center of Substance Abuse Prevention, working to reduce underage drinking in the West Seattle community and the next coalition meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. (Southwest Library).
