The San Rafael Alcohol and Drug Coalition (SRADC) begins Year 6 of its work promoting youth leadership by calling for San Rafael to eliminate youth-oriented alcopop sales and facilitating youth-led opioid prevention outreach in schools. A project of Alcohol Justice, the alcohol industry watchdog, this Latino youth-led program is now expanding from the Canal District to reach all 59,000 residents of San Rafael, as the city struggles through a crisis of underage drinking and prescription opioid abuse.
Latino youth from the Canal District have been leading the charge for five years in creating an Alcopop-Free Zone where retail outlets are asked to stop selling flavored alcopops. Alcopops (flavored malt beverages) are sweet, bubbly, high alcohol products marketed to youth. Often the first drink for kids, they easily lead to binge drinking. SRADC will target 62 retail alcohol outlets citywide–youth will negotiate with merchants to eliminate alcopop sales.
Additionally, as part of White House and Drug Free Communities opioid initiatives, SRADC will train youth to work within San Rafael City Schools in prevention outreach to students at two high schools and one middle school. In the coming years, a program of youth-led trainings will be developed to reach all 8th and 10th graders, make them aware of misuse of prescription drugs, and change attitudes towards opioid use in general. Youth will also advocate directly for pharmacies, like Walgreens and Kaiser HMO, to take back pills, street drugs and sharps, thus reducing the risk they will be used recreationally.
The SRADC consists of a coalition of community leaders representing 12 sectors: ranging from the award-winning RxSafe Marin alliance to concerned parents in the Restorative Justice Council (Consejo Restaurativo de Marin). The program director of SRADC is Jorge Castillo, and the project coordinator is Maite Durán. Both are experienced, bilingual, immigrant organizers and trainers. More than 25 youth and dozens of community leaders will participate each year. The youth group, Youth for Justice, will lead the way.