what Oregon City sector leaders had to say

sectors represented:

• Youth
• Faith Community
• Parents
• Schools
• Healthcare
• Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement
• Civic/Volunteer Organizations
• Government
• Arts & Culture

What problems do you see in Oregon City related to youth substance abuse?

• economy
• not enough youth oriented activities
• not enough after school programs for working parents
• sports activities too expensive for majority of students
• more info is needed on available resources
• Retail sales to minors
• parents okay with drinking at home
• prescription meds
• heroin increase
• DUI/MIP?
• Funding for school programming / electives
• lack of stability for housing / parent support
• social promotion
• lack of support from family members
• lack of alternative space
• unemployment/economic times
• drop out rate increasing
• jobs
• decreasing participation in faith-based activities
• homelessness
• access to mental health facilities
• transportation barriers for youth getting to services
• resources

What current efforts are you aware of that intend to address these problems?

• Drug and Alcohol curriculum in schools
• school activities
• Clackamas County Behavioral Health / Children & Family
• Faith Communities – youth groups
• weekly drop-in for GLBTQ youth
• Truancy court
• Living Room resource
• Faith based community & OCSD homeless liaison working on homelessness issues
• school-based health center at OCHS
• sports – community & school
• OC Parks & Rec
• Community Schools
• Clackamas Children’s’ Center & Women’s Center
• Martha Schrader’s’ veterans’ program
• drop-in medical center through Willamette Falls Hospital
• Arts?

What is missing in the community’s response?

• money
• resources
• lack of coordination of services
• lack of urgency
• business community involvement is low
• youth voices – high school seniors
• activities – age-based
• rigorous enforcement of MIP laws
• how is the library involved?
• resources
• parent involvement
• compartmentalization of sectors – lack of connection
• tying in problem to behavior/grades
• truancy
• C.A.R.E.S. response – identification & intervention
• transportation for rural
• social promotion

What is possible?

• connected/supported community with all agencies
• drug-free homes
• rigorous enforcement of laws – policy changes
• peer-to-peer support
• stronger family relationships
• cultural shifts as to what are our new norms
• reduction in underage drinking
• more access to treatment programs for all members of family
• info in school newsletter & online links to info
• print docs from schools
• youth com. center in OCity
• lunch buddy
• networking with Chamber of Commerce
• mentoring at high school level to elementary
• enlist as mentors high school students who need community service hours to graduate
• everything