Shasta Friday Night Live In Action (Shasta FNL In Action) is a youth-led coalition consisting of a membership roster of high school aged youth and an adult advisory board comprised of at least one representative from the twelve sectors. Shasta FNL In Action is unique in its ability to develop and implement effective substance abuse prevention strategies developed by youth for youth. Shasta County is in northern California with 22% of its 179,500 population under the age of 18. Although the county is not a community of large ethnic diversity, it is a community of underserved, subpopulations. The county is geographically, socially, and economically challenged with a population density per square mile of 47 compared to the state average at more than 200, a per capita income of only $23,763., and a poverty rate of 18 percent. More alarming is that the poverty rate of Shasta County families with children under twenty is 21.3 percent and 42.75% of Shasta County residents are living in a geographic area designated as a “Health Professional Shortage Area. The county is marked by areas of extreme poverty and unemployment, low rates for high school graduation and expectations for higher education, and high rates of domestic violence and child abuse, all contributing to environmental risk indicators for higher rates of youth substance use.
Shasta County is a community: Where alcohol sales are big fund raisers at family/community events; Where a social host ordinance was rejected by the Board of Supervisors; Where youth in Redding, the largest city in the county, graced Instagram with Redding’s Drunkest; With the legalization of marijuana, a county where two of the incorporated cities welcome the tax revenue from pot shops and the perception of harm of marijuana use has plummeted; Where the increase in vaping and youth targeted marketing has allowed vape shops to open near schools and other youth serving venues; Where students employ an “entrepreneurial ship” practice of selling vape pods to peers that were ordered on line; and Where a student developed survey revealed that vaping is the number one concern of students on campus.
The goals of the coalition are to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth use and abuse of alcohol, marijuana, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (vape). The coalition will achieve its goals by implementing youth developed and youth-led strategies including: 1) increasing the coalitions infrastructure and capacity to address youth substance use; 2) developing community strategies that reduce youth access to alcohol, marijuana and nicotine products; and 3) increasing awareness and knowledge through a social media campaign on the impact of alcohol, marijuana, and electronic nicotine delivery systems focusing on how the community can work with youth to reduce risky behaviors.
Measurable Outcomes:
By September 2025 reduce by 3% the number of 7th, 9th and 11th graders who report drinking alcohol, using marijuana and electronic nicotine delivery systems within the past 30 days
By September 2025 increase by 3% the number of 7th, 9th and 11th graders who perceive great risk with alcohol, marijuana, and electronic nicotine delivery system use
By September 2025 increase by 3% the perception of parental disapproval in 7th, 9th and 11th grades for alcohol, marijuana, and electronic nicotine delivery systems
By September 2025 increase by 3% the perception of peer disapproval in 7th, 9th and 11th grades for alcohol, marijuana, and electronic nicotine delivery systems