The "Top Ten" Societal Issues in Quay County
| Problem
| % indicating moderate
or major problem
|
| Drunk driving |
75.1 |
| Teen smoking |
74.3 |
| Drunk Driving among youth |
71.8 |
| Alcohol use among youth |
71.6 |
| Disrespect for traditions |
71.4 |
| Drug abuse |
71.3 |
| Drug abuse among youth |
70.6 |
| Unemployment |
70.1 |
| Anger and violence among youth |
69.4 |
| Alcoholism |
67.9 |
In the late 1990's, researchers conducted an extensive survey of adults in Quay County. This survey explored social and personal concerns in our county. Several youth substance use issues were identified as being in the "top ten" concern to residents of our county. Six of the "top ten" concerns have to do with youth using substances, often illegally. The Substance Abuse Committee was formed to address the concerns of county residents about substance use among our youth.
[We also need to define "Illegal Substance Use" here.]
This committee is using the Systems Change process to identify where our youths with substance use problems are "falling through the cracks" and how our community can best help these kids stop using substances.
A Little Information about Systems Change
Some years ago, you might remember that America was worried because all the best products were coming from Japan. One of the reasons that the Japanese products of the 1970's and early 1980's were so much better than American products is because the Japanese adopted the System Change ideas of (strangely enough) an American innovator, Dr. W. Edwards Deming. Most businesses of the past made products and tried to convince people that they wanted to buy those products. Deming's focus on examining processes, especially from the perspective of the customer who buys products, changed Japanese business focus to finding out what customers wanted and working to fulfill those wants. This concept revolutionized Japanese business and has been adopted since by many companies in America.
Now, government and community-based groups are applying these same principles to their work, focusing on changing the way communities work through treating residents as "customers" of government and community services. The Substance Abuse Committee was formed specifically to use System Change processes to address the teen substance use problem in Quay County.
The Things We Found Out
o Law Enforcement Officers and Juvenile Probation is the Way toward Help
Treatment of substance use problems is hard to find and most families can't afford it. There are public funds available to help youths with substance use problems, but these are only available to kids who have been referred to law enforcement officers and are involved in the Juvenile Probation system. These youths *need* to be referred to law enforcement!
o Refer to Law Enforcement Every Time a Youth Illegally Uses Substances
Many community members feel a need to "protect" youths from law enforcement when they use illegal substances. Parents, friends, and teachers might think that referring a youth will hurt their chances of getting into a good college, having a career in the military, or getting a good job as adults. If youths are referred to law enforcement before their illegal substance use becomes a problem habit, many youths can be turned to better habits. Minor, rare infractions of the law don't usually follow a youth into their adult life.
Youths who are "protected" from law enforcement when illegal substance use begins often go untreated for their problem and some end up getting arrested for much more serious crimes that will affect their adult lives. We feel it is *vital* that law enforcement be involved in a substance-using youth's life as soon as the problem is found, before serious problems come. Parents, freinds, teachers, and other concerned adults *need* to refer these youths to law enforcement *each time* substance use laws are broken so they can get the help they need!
The Role of Law Enforcement toward Illegal Substance Use by Youths
Many people think that law enforcement takes youths "in trouble with the law" and simply locks them in jail for a time. Prevention of youth substance use and treatment for those already addicted to substances is the primary goal of law enforcement, in partnership with Juvenile Probation and the Court system. Incarceration is an option, but is typically used only when other prevention and treatment methods have been tried. Law enforcement is committed to helping youths become responsible, law-abiding adults.
When a youth is referred to law enforcement officers for illegal substance use, they are assigned a Juvenile Probation Officer who works to find ways to help that youth start obeying the law. Depending on the seriousness of the law broken or the number of times a youth has been referred, a judge may become involved in deciding the kind of intervention and treatment that youth needs. All of these people work together to help the youth stop using substances illegally and develop better habits that will lead to a happy, successful life as an adult.
Parents, Friends, Teachers, and Concerned Neighbors can Help
Everyone in our community can be a part of helping our youths to avoid the illegal use of substances. **When we see a youth using these substances, we can refer them to a law enforcement officer immediately.** This is not "getting them into trouble," this is the way to get a youth the help they need! The Substance Abuse Committee seeks your help in spreading the word about the importance of referring youths who illegally use substances to law enforcement *every time* they use. You will be helping that youth become a better adult and making Quay County a better place to live for everyone!
Thank you!