Marengo residents participate in substance abuse survey

Marengo County received an Alabama Department of Mental Health’s Strategic Prevention Framework–Strategic Incentive Grant (SIG). Southern Prevention, in partnership with the Marengo County Children’s Policy Council, will serve as the coalition group to implement the grant project entitled Community in Action. Three goals are recognized for this project:

1. Prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance use, including childhood underage drinking

2. Reduce substance-related problems in Alabama communities

3. Build prevention capacity and infrastructure at the state and community levels

Connie Brown of Demopolis has been selected to serve as coalition coordinator. The grant implementation began with Marengo County CPC members completing a Coalition Capacity Readiness assessment. ADMH is working with the local coalition to increase knowledge and skills in the area of prevention and in utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework cycle for grant implementation. 370 residents of Marengo County participated in a 25-question online survey regarding alcohol consumption and consequences. A Needs Assessment Survey was conducted through seven community sectors (Education, Health Care, Community Organizations, Law Enforcement, Religious, Business, and Key Leaders) to identify current community resources.

Sub-committee members of the CIA Project met on March 18th to review current data from surveys. Mrs. Marcy McFarlin, working with Southern Prevention Associates as program evaluator for the grant, presented information. The online surveys revealed 59.4% think alcohol causes the most problems in our community. 64.9% state alcohol has been a problem for someone close to them, and 81% believe drinking and driving is a serious problem in our community. Regarding perceptions related to access and availability, 46.1% know an adult that has sponsored parties and allowed/provided alcohol to youth. 14.5% know a store that sells tobacco/alcohol to minors, and 7.9% know a bar that serves alcohol to minors.

When asked about perceptions relating to law enforcement, 13% said law enforcement is doing a great job at keeping alcohol and other drugs away from youth, while 20.6% said no and 53.3% said sometimes. 13% said they did not know.

When questioned about perceptions of effective strategies in reducing alcohol/drug use, 76.7% perceive parents talking to their children about harmful effects is very helpful, 58.8% perceive schools talking to their students about harmful effects is very helpful, and 60.5% perceive religious institutions teaching about the dangers of alcohol/drugs is very helpful.

A vast number of available resources within our county were listed in the presentation such as, Bully Prevention, Adult Education, Career/Job Training, Sports and Recreational Programs, Substance Abuse/Treatment, Family and Youth Programs, and General Health and Wellness Programs. However, it was noted that additional resources desired for the county are in the areas of Teen Pregnancy, At-Risk Student Programs, Family and Youth Programs, and Substance Abuse Prevention/Treatment.

Mrs. McFarlin stressed to coalition members that data from the various surveys reflect only part of the big picture of Marengo County and that the data is a tool meant to be helpful to the community – not hurtful.

Coalition Coordinator Connie Brown’s next step is to conduct focus groups to gain qualitative data (why and where) to go with the current quantitative data (how much and how often). Additional data is forthcoming through Pride Surveys that will be administered to high school students this month.