Five SMART members (Darrell, Kye, Pat, Melissa, and Richard) were able to attend the National Prevention Network Conferece in Denver, August 31st - Septemebr 3rd.
For any member who has not yet attended a conference, we strongly encourage you to do so in the future! You will gain an even greater understanding of prevention and where we are headed, and will leave even more motivated than you already are!
Posted in the comments you will find a report from each coalition member that attended the conference, that includes:
- 1. A short list of valuable information learned at the conference
- Identify 1 to 3 items, from the list, that you'd like to help implement into coalition activtivities.
3 comments:
MELISSA BATE'S REPORT:
I particularly enjoyed the session on using media effectively to change social norms. I learned the following:
• Media messages directed towards parents is the most effective method by far. Not only does the message hit home to the parents, but kids are less defensive when the message is not directed at them, and thus are much more likely to internalize the message when they hear/see it.
• In order for any type of media to be effective, it needs to have a strong, interesting message that is hard to counter.
• If your audience thinks you are lying, intentions to use increase.
• Resistance accrues with each failed message.
Our data has shown us that social norms towards prescription drug abuse are one factor increasing use and abuse in our county. I believe that media strategies could help in this area. All four bullet points would be helpful in developing or selecting such strategies.
This conference seemed to stress a need to work together, using our individual strengths, to achieve the end goal of prevention. I found several presenters introduced a need to reach outside typical prevention entities toward law enforcement, physicians, schools, churches, etc in order to change public perception related to drug abuse issues.
A secondary theme seemed to arise from a federal change in attitude toward the importance of prevention programs. It appeared future focus, and monies, will be more centered toward research based prevention tactics. Local collations were included in this list.
Lastly I found an interesting trend regarding use of social media sites to fuel youth centered alcohol advertisements. With stringent restrictions on current media outlets (TV, magazines, and billboard) it appears alcohol companies have turned to the internet, especially and social sites, to bombard youth with pro alcohol messages. An importance to monitor youths access to Facebook, Myspace, etc. was stressed.
Overall a very good conference.
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