Binge Drinking
- Binge drinking is drinking five or more drinks in about two hours for men, and four drinks in the same time period for women.
- ASR works with communities to assess the level of binge drinking in the region and to evaluate the strategies to reduce binge drinking, especially for youth.
- ASR piloted a unique survey methodology by training youth to survey other youth about their binge drinking behaviors and the consequences of their drinking.
ASR worked extensively with Santa Cruz County from 2004-2007 to evaluate an initiative called Community United to Reduce Bingeing (CURB). CURB staff implemented environmental prevention strategies in order to reduce the incidence of binge drinking among youth in Santa Cruz County.
Click here to view the CURB study.
Methamphetamine Snapshots
- ASR conducted a snapshot of methamphetamine use in one county for one month.
- The study provided a better picture of who was using the drug and how it was impacting families and agencies throughout the county.
- Data were collected across a wide range of agencies including criminal justice, health, treatment services, and child welfare services.
- Data for Santa Cruz County in February 2007 were surprising:
- Women were generally overrepresented among the individuals with some type of methamphetamine involvement.
- Youth who were involved with meth had a greater number of treatment setbacks and higher overall recidivism than non-meth involved
youth.
- Almost half (49%) of children with open Child Welfare Cases during the month were cases in which methamphetamine use was alleged for a parent/guardian.
- 25% of those receiving services from the Health Services Agency Alcohol and Drug Program listed meth as their primary drug of choice.
Click here to view the methamphetamine snapshot for Santa Cruz County in 2007.
Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning for County Drug and Alcohol Departments
- ASR works with county drug and alcohol departments to assess their needs and to help them plan for the future.
- ASR can help counties conduct quantitative and qualitative research into their treatment and prevention needs.
- ASR can help counties create comprehensive and inclusive strategic planning processes based on those treatment and prevention needs.
ASR completed a needs assessment and a strategic plan for the San Mateo County Human Services Agency: Alcohol and Other Drug Services Department in 2006.
Click here to see the full report.
Safe and Drug Free Schools
- ASR works with communities to help them assess drug and alcohol programs that are provided to students.
- Currently, ASR is evaluating a six week program in Santa Cruz County schools to provide early intervention for students experiencing problems with drugs and/or alcohol.
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