Search

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington, installed an educational display to raise passengers' knowledge and awareness of wildlife trafficking. Little is known about the efficacy of wildlife trafficking-related educational displays at airports. In the fall of 2022, Port of Seattle (PoS) Business Intelligence conducted an evaluation to assess the impact of the display. The evaluation included three components: observation of passengers viewing the display; a survey with passengers who viewed the display; and a survey with passengers who did not view the display. Observations revealed that 0.8 per cent of passengers stopped to view the display. Mean viewing time was 48 seconds. The more passengers passed through the concourse, the fewer stopped at the display. Most non-viewers (88 per cent) did not notice the display as they passed it on the way to their gate. Non-viewers who noticed the display but did not stop to view it gave being in a hurry and wanting to get to their gate as primary reasons for not stopping. Viewers of the display, compared to non-viewers, reported a greater level of confidence that they could spot a product made from endangered wildlife, increased knowledge about actions that can contribute to wildlife trafficking and a greater belief that their actions can help save endangered animals. Although the display did have an impact on viewers, fewer than 1 per cent of passengers who passed by the display viewed it. Most passengers did not notice it. The findings of this evaluation raise the issue of whether passengers on the way to their departure gate are receptive to viewing an educational display. There may be more opportune approaches to educate passengers about wildlife trafficking, such as presenting information about wildlife trafficking on television screens in gate areas or as part of in-flight entertainment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite efforts to limit underage access to alcohol, alcohol availability remains a challenge for youth drinking prevention. This article fills a gap in our understanding of alcohol consumption among youths by systematically investigating how and under what circumstances they obtain alcohol and the context within which they consume it. Qualitative interviews (n = 47) were conducted with teens to collect information about where and how they obtain alcohol and the contexts within which they drink. Respondents were knowledgeable about commercial and social sources and used this knowledge in their decision making regarding where to obtain alcohol. Teens used their social relationships to circumvent existing policies designed to limit underage access to alcohol. Findings indicate that the majority of teens' drinking occasions occur in their own or someone else's home.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with parents of teens to explore how parents store and monitor prescription drugs in the home. Most parents had prescription drugs in the house, but took few precautions against teens accessing these drugs. Strategies for monitoring included moving the drugs to different locations, remembering how many pills were left, and how medication containers were positioned. Reasons given for not securing drugs were that parents did not think that their teens would be interested in their prescription drugs and did not believe that they could be used to get high. This study highlights the need for parents to be educated about securing prescription drugs, the dangers of non-medical prescription drug use by teens, and which drugs might be used for non-medical purposes.

Purpose/Objectives: The goal of the program was to establish youth gardens across Wisconsin by conducting workshops for school staff and childcare providers on how to start and sustain a youth garden with limited resources. Methods: Evaluation utilized an end-of-workshop questionnaire and follow-up survey. The end-of-workshop questionnaire focused on participants' experience and satisfaction with training. Retrospective pre - and post-questions assessed changes in understanding concerning garden related issues and confidence in establishing and maintaining a youth garden. The follow-up survey focused on number and characteristics of gardens, use of gardens, and characteristics of youths involved. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Three hour workshops held at 32 sites were attended by 672 participants. A total of 606 respondents completed the end-of-session questionnaire. Even though most participants had prior gardening knowledge, they perceived that training increased understanding and confidence related to youth garden tasks. A total of 180 participants completed the follow-up survey. Gardens were established at 122 sites, serving primarily youths in pre-K to 5th grade. Overall, 89% of respondents planned to continue their garden. Responses indicated that different reasons influenced the type of garden that was established (in ground/raised bed, container, microfarm, and cold frame). Providing school staff with gardening options to address barriers supported the establishment of gardens. Container gardens and microfarms were appealing because of their low cost and low maintenance. Perceived effectiveness of gardens did not differ by garden type. Applications to Child Nutrition Professionals: Child nutrition professionals may be more likely to become involved in establishing a youth garden if it can be accomplished in a manner that is compatible with their time and resources. This effort illustrates an efficient and cost effective means of disseminating and establishing youth gardens in educational settings.

Results from a qualitative study with parents about underage drinking are presented. Semistructured interviews (n = 44) were conducted with parents of teens to investigate whether and why parents permit underage drinking. Parents had three primary reasons for allowing underage drinking: deliberate, spontaneous, and harm reduction. Deliberate reasons included passing on knowledge about drinking responsibly and appreciating alcohol. Parents also spontaneously decided to let their teen drink. Some of these spontaneous situations involved feeling pressure from other adults to let their teen drink. Another reason was a desire to reduce potential harm. Parents feared that forbidding underage drinking would harm their relationship with their teen and potentially lead to drunk driving. Prevention efforts aimed at parents should take into account parents' motivations to let teens drink.

Because scientific understanding of communicating family research to policymakers is incomplete, qualitative interviews were conducted with social scientists experienced in bridging the gulf between research and family policy. In keeping with the tenets of 2 communities and community dissonance theories, the underutilization of research in policymaking was attributed, in part, to misperceptions and miscommunication between researchers and policymakers who operate in different cultures. Social scientists identified cultural barriers they encountered and rewards they experienced when communicating research to policymakers. Ten recommendations detail pragmatic strategies for communicating across conflicting cultures to promote greater use of research in family policy decisions. The findings suggest a paradigm shift away from simply disseminating research to policymakers and toward developing collaborative relationships with them. (Contains 1 note.)

We investigated differences in drinking behaviors and sources of alcohol among Native American (n = 361) and White adolescents (n = 1,735), ages 11 to 19. Native American youth were more likely to have consumed alcohol in their lifetime and been intoxicated in the last 30 days than Whites. Native American drinkers were almost twice as likely to have gotten alcohol from an adult and twice as likely to have obtained alcohol from someone under 21. White drinkers were four times as likely to have obtained alcohol from their parents. Youth did not differ in access to alcohol from other social sources. Because youth access alcohol from different social sources, strategies to limit access must consider these differences. This study underscores the importance of examining ethnic-specific alcohol access patterns. (Contains 6 tables.)

Objective: We investigated drinking behavior and sources of alcohol among Native American and White youths, as well as how underage drinking behavior and sources of alcohol may be related to environmental factors. Method: Survey data from a sample of 18,916 youths (8th, 10th, and 12th grades) from Montana were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Survey data were supplemented with county-level economic and census data. Results: Native American youths were more likely than White youths to report drinking and heavy episodic drinking and initiate drinking at a younger age. Native Americans were less likely than Whites to get alcohol from home or from someone younger than age 21 but were more likely to get it from other social sources or through theft from a store. Living in a county with more Native Americans was inversely related to access to alcohol for both White and Native American youths, as well as reduced lifetime, 30-day, and heavy episodic drinking. Living in a county with more single-parent households was positively related to lifetime drinking, 30-day drinking, heavy episodic drinking, and increased access to alcohol through someone younger than age 21 or a stranger. Median income was negatively related to lifetime drinking and ease of access to alcohol and was positively related to accessing alcohol from home without permission, theft, or purchase with a fake ID. Conclusions: Because Native American and White youths have different drinking patterns and obtain alcohol from different sources, strategies to prevent alcohol problems in these groups should take these differences into consideration. (J Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72, 53-60, 2011), DRINKING BY YOUNG PEOPLE IS ASSOCIATED with an array of problems. Each year, as many as 5,000 youths younger than the age of 21 in the United States die as [...]

In Washington State, U.S., 29 of every 10,000 individuals were homeless in 2019. It has been estimated that over 80% of chronically homeless individuals have experienced substance use disorders. Snohomish County Diversion Center (SCDC) is a program in Washington State designed to divert homeless individuals with substance use disorders from hospitalization and incarceration toward treatment and housing. It is a collaboration between the Human Services Department, Sheriff's Office, and a not-for-profit organization. Police officers in collaboration with Law Enforcement Embedded Social Workers (LEESWs) visit homeless encampments where they make contact with potential clients and assess their interest in receiving substance use disorder treatment. Once a client agrees to the program, he/she is provided transportation to SCDC where individuals stay while they are being connected to services. An evaluation of the program has shown a reduction in incarceration, jail days, psychiatric hospital stays, and homelessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study examined the relationship of youth marijuana use and perceived ease of access with the number of medical marijuana cards at the county-level, and marijuana norms as indicated by per cent of voters approving legalization of medical marijuana in 2004. Methods: Survey data from 17,482 youths (aged 13-19) in Montana and county-level archival data, including votes for the legalization of medical marijuana and the number of medical marijuana cards were analysed using hierarchical linear modelling. Findings: Living in a county with more medical marijuana cards was not related to lifetime or 30-day marijuana use. However, voter approval of medical marijuana was positively related to lifetime and 30-day use. Perceived ease of access to marijuana was positively related to medical marijuana cards, but this relation became non-significant when voter approval was controlled. Among marijuana users, marijuana cards and voter approval were positively related to perceived ease of access. Conclusions: The relation between medical marijuana cards and youth use may be related to an overall normative environment that is more tolerant of marijuana use. Interventions to prevent youth marijuana use should focus on adult norms regarding use by and provision of marijuana to youths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated sources of alcohol for underage drinkers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were individually conducted with 47 youths, ages 15-18, who reported drinking within the last 12 months, to explore alcohol access. Theft was one method that some youths reported using to obtain alcohol. In addition to 9% of respondents who reported stealing alcohol from commercial outlets themselves, a total of 26% respondents reported occasions when their close friends stole alcohol. Our findings unveiled that teens had a body of knowledge that some drew upon for stealing alcohol. Youths revealed detailed knowledge about store layout, theft protection devices and store policies. In particular, respondents disclosed knowledge about which aisles have blind spots, how to remove security tops on bottles, and no-chase policies. Theft of alcohol from commercial sources may be reduced by examining the weaknesses of existing theft prevention practices, and revising store policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qualitative interviews were conducted with parents of teens to explore how parents store and monitor prescription drugs in the home. Most parents had prescription drugs in the house, but took few precautions against teens accessing these drugs. Strategies for monitoring included moving the drugs to different locations, remembering how many pills were left, and how medication containers were positioned. Reasons given for not securing drugs were that parents did not think that their teens would be interested in their prescription drugs and did not believe that they could be used to get high. This study highlights the need for parents to be educated about securing prescription drugs, the dangers of non-medical prescription drug use by teens, and which drugs might be used for non-medical purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives The goal of the program was to establish youth gardens across Wisconsin by conducting workshops for school staff and childcare providers on how to start and sustain a youth garden with limited resources. Methods Evaluation utilized an end-of-workshop questionnaire and follow-up survey. The end-of-workshop questionnaire focused on participantsâ"(tm) experience and satisfaction with training. Retrospective pre â"" and post-questions assessed changes in understanding concerning garden related issues and confidence in establishing and maintaining a youth garden. The follow-up survey focused on number and characteristics of gardens, use of gardens, and characteristics of youths involved. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data. Results Three hour workshops held at 32 sites were attended by 672 participants. A total of 606 respondents completed the end-of-session questionnaire. Even though most participants had prior gardening knowledge, they perceived that training increased understanding and confidence related to youth garden tasks. A total of 180 participants completed the follow-up survey. Gardens were established at 122 sites, serving primarily youths in pre-K to 5th grade. Overall, 89% of respondents planned to continue their garden. Responses indicated that different reasons influenced the type of garden that was established (in ground/raised bed, container, microfarm, and cold frame). Providing school staff with gardening options to address barriers supported the establishment of gardens. Container gardens and microfarms were appealing because of their low cost and low maintenance. Perceived effectiveness of gardens did not differ by garden type. Applications to Child Nutrition Professionals Child nutrition professionals may be more likely to become involved in establishing a youth garden if it can be accomplished in a manner that is compatible with their time and resources. This effort illustrates an efficient and cost effective means of disseminating and establishing youth gardens in educational settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]