SNAPS-SA Coalition joins forces with partners throughout the community to address underlying issues related to underage drinking, and prescription abuse and misuse in our community. One organization, program, and department alone cannot solely be responsible for addressing these issues and thus collaboratively we strive to increase the resiliency of our youth in McKinley County.
Advocacy and coordination for stronger enforcement of all existing youth and adult and drug related laws (citations and arrests for: minors in possession, sales to minors, providing alcohol to a minor, Social Host Ordinances; DWIs, sales to intoxicated, server liability)
Media to increase awareness of 4th degree felony and social host laws
Responsible Beverage Service Model (a package including alcohol merchant education, store manager policies, age verification, server training)
Develop and strengthen enforcement of ATOD policies at schools (include the elimination of zero-tolerance policies that lead to suspension and expulsion from school)
Target parents to restrict youth social access to prescription painkillers by working directly with PTAs or similar parent groups to encourage locking up medications, proper disposal and to share information with parents on adolescent prescription drug misuse and abuse, as well as dangers of sharing
Restrict social access through the elderly (locking up medications, providing lock boxes, not sharing medications, etc) with strategies that are reinforced by education and respond to local social norms and conditions
Use media resources to increase awareness of prescription painkiller harm & potential for addition, and to increase awareness of dangers of sharing, how to store and dispose of prescription drugs safely.
