Running head: SAINT GEORGE, UTAH COMMUNITY

Saint George, Utah Community Project:

Mind-altering Substance Abuse Intervention
Megan J. Stucki
Dixie State University

SAINT GEORGE, UTAH COMMUNITY

Saint George, Utah Community Project: Mind-altering Substance Abuse Intervention

For the purpose of this study the community of Saint George, Utah was observed and
researched. According to the Utah Department of Health (2013) the leading cause of death
among Saint George residents was related to diseases of the heart, with the second and third
leading causes being malignant neoplasms and unintentional injuries respectively. While heart
disease is a major concern, not only for the people of Saint George, Utah, but for the entire
nation, the focus of the project intervention was on the prevalent problem of drug abuse among
the adolescent and teenage populace. This issue has far-reaching effects, including, but not
limited to: being directly related to and causing unintentional injuries, suicide, increased crime
rates, school dropout rates, unemployment and related health problems.
The intent of this paper is to outline the findings of the community assessment and
provide a discourse of the chosen implemented intervention. The intervention consisted of
educational and physical activities, which were conducted at a local high school in the
community. Conclusion: before the intervention many students were unaware of the extensive
and negative effects that mind-altering substances have in all facets of life. After the intervention
the majority of the students who participated in the educational and physical activities were
cognizant of these effects, and therefore more likely to avoid them in the future.
Community Assessment and Analysis
The ensuing discourse will discuss the city of Saint George, Utah in relation to the
findings of the community assessment. The specific target population of this project will then be
identified and discussed in detail.

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Community Assessment
Extensive research was performed via the internet in order to assess the city of Saint
George, Utah. To understand the area geographically, economically, and to identify areas of
potential concern a windshield survey was performed (Nies & McEwen, 2011). The result of the
survey was an in depth view of the community and its inhabitants.
The following problems were identified in Saint George, Utah. They were labeled as
problems when compared with national averages or by voiced concerns from the members of the
community: heart disease, obesity, the number of juveniles in treatment facilities, growing gang
issues, malignant neoplasms, and sometimes air and/or water quality.
As stated previously, according the Utah Department of Health (2013) the three leading
causes of death among residents were: diseases of the heart, malignant neoplasms, and
unintentional injuries. The Department of Health also states that there were 15,530 deaths in the
year 2012. Facts regarding comparison of national and local death rates were taken from the
year 2011, where the information was available--it listed Utah as 5.4 deaths per 1,000, whereas
the national average was 8.1 per 1,000 individuals. The majority of these deaths occurred after
the residents reached the age of 75 years or older (Utah Department of Health, 2013).
From the conducted windshield survey and internet research it was concluded that the
city of Saint George also had areas of strength. One such area was the crime rate. It is reported
to be well below the national average. Homefacts (2014) reports that the crime rate for Saint
George is 35.61% lower than the national average, with burglary topping the crime list. It is
interesting to note that while the majority feels relatively safe in the community others may be
privy to a larger, detailed picture. A former police officer, Brady Jenkins, stated I find it
interesting that most people believe Saint George is a safe haven from the outside world. Little

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do they know we have everything a big city has except on a smaller scale: drugs, gangs,
prostitution, and the list could go on and on (Personal communication, December 2, 2014).
Target Population
The national drug problem began in the late 1960s and continues today. Decades ago an
increased incidence of heroine addition was prevalent (DuPont, 2010). Marijuana, cocaine and
other mind-altering substances such as alcohol were also widely abused. With these inevitably
came an increase in the occurrence of drug overdose, crime, youth drug use and impaired driving
(DuPont, 2010).
While these issues continue today the nation is faced with yet another facet of the drug
problem. Robert DuPont (2010) states that the use of prescribed medicines for nonmedical
purposes has become a major public health problem. DuPont goes on to say that this issue will
affect the medical community and require an increased effort of prevention by way of education.
It is with education and prevention in mind that the writer of this paper chose the target
population of adolescent and teen residents of the area, with special focus being paid to the atrisk population.
Problem Identification
Community health diagnosis: the adolescent and teenage population is at an increased
risk of being exposed to, experimenting with and actively using mind-altering substances; such
as, alcohol, cannabis, caffeine, and drugs.
HealthyPeople.gov (2014) states that approximately 95% of drug abusers are unaware of
their problem. It goes on to state that 273,000 were unsuccessful in their efforts to receive
treatment. These statistics clearly speak to the need for increased and more effective prevention
measures.

SAINT GEORGE, UTAH COMMUNITY

Goal and Objectives

The intended goal of the intervention was to provide education on the adverse effects and
increased risk of injury or death resulting from exposure to and use of mind-altering substances
among the high-risk adolescents attending Millcreek High School in Saint George, Utah. This is
aligned with the goals of HealthyPeople 2020 as it states, reduce substance abuse to protect the
health, safety, and quality of life for all, especially children (Healthypeople.gov, 2014).
The outcome objective of this intervention was: by October 15, 2014 as a result of
implementing the educational presentation during Red Ribbon Week among high-risk
adolescents at Millcreek High School they will have an increased understanding of the adverse
effects of mind-altering substances and an increased desire to avoid experimenting with or
ultimately cease drug use by 30% of the target population. The impact objective for the
intervention was: by November 15, 2014 the school counselor would report a decreased
incidence of drug-related issues from target population.
Resources
The resources that were implemented for this intervention included a Millcreek High
School science class. Additionally, power point presentations and physical activities in the form
of games were also employed to facilitate the learning process.
Constraints
Minor constraints for this intervention were the audience to which the presentation was
being given, they being troubled teenagers with little interest in learning generally. This
obstacle was overcome by implementing interactive power points and activities with prizes. A
major constraint was the time available to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.
Additional time would be useful in evaluating the value of this type of educational program, both

SAINT GEORGE, UTAH COMMUNITY

for improvement of the presentation specifically and for assessment of the impact it may have on
the target populace.
Community Based Intervention
The community-based intervention was targeted at a specific science class located at
Millcreek High School in the city of Saint George, Utah. According to Millcreek High School
(2014) it was established as a result of two men recognizing that more alternatives for students
who were not succeeding in the traditional high schools were needed. Two separate power
point presentations were created in order to demonstrate and explain the negative effects mindaltering substances have on the brain, specifically the cerebellum and parietal lobe. These two
presentations were presented during Red Ribbon Week to the specified class.
After the presentations were completed physical activities in the form of Minute-to-winit games were employed to cement learning in the minds of the participants. These
demonstrated the use of the brain in order to complete physical tasks of mobility, seeing and
hearing. Drunk-driving goggles were also implemented to show the effects of impaired mobility.
An open discussion with the students was then facilitated, where students were encouraged to
participate and did so freely.
Sharma (2013) reports that drug abuse interventions which are based in schools are more
likely to achieve greater effectiveness and obtain a greater reach. Several abuse prevention
interventions are listed in the article by Sharma. One of note took place in China and
implemented a program for cognition-motivation-emotional intelligence-resistance skills. Six
lessons were taught during this intervention in which various subjects were broached, including:
negative effects of drug use, peer resistance skills, the relationship between drug use and AIDS,
and emotion adjusting skills. Examples, discussion, role-play, demonstration and games were

SAINT GEORGE, UTAH COMMUNITY

some of the techniques used in this intervention. This intervention was evaluated upon its
completion and it was found that student participants in the experimental group had positive
motivation, higher levels of knowledge, and greater resistance skills than a control group.
In another article authored by Firesheets, Francis, Barnum & Rolf (2012) emphasis is
placed on the vital role a community plays in the efforts of drug abuse prevention. They state
that many advances in prevention research have been gained, but those advances dont always
translate into the advances needed in prevention practice. This is due in part to a lack of funding
or limited tactics in the area of prevention application. They then explain certain interventions
that will promote and support evidence-based practices of prevention at the community level.
This framework includes trainings, consultations, library and other resources, networking and
opportunities for grant making in an effort to involve and help community members become
proactive in substance abuse prevention tactics.
Conclusion
Vital to the nursing role and process are the efforts of primary prevention. These efforts
target fundamentally well individuals and populations while improving resiliency and protective
factors (Nies & McEwen, 2011). This nursing role is more easily accomplished and effective
when collaborating with other community members, healthcare providers, family and peers.
These combined efforts alter exposure to mind-altering substances with targeted prevention
measures, and therefore promote healthy lifestyles.
By way of conclusion, the intervention was effective in educating the adolescent and
teenage participants at Millcreek High School about the negative effects of mind-altering
substances. That being said, there remains a great need for more substance abuse measures to be
implemented in the local community as well as the nation at large. These measures will ensure a

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greater chance of primary prevention among adolescents today as well as future generations,
improving their lives in addition to society as a whole (Ersche & Sussman, 2010).

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References

DuPont, R. L., M.D. (2010). Prescription drug abuse: An epidemic dilemma. Journal of
Psychoactive Drugs, 42(2), 127-32. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/603183100?accountid=27045
Ersche, K. D., Sussman, A. S. (2010). Drug abuse: Concepts, prevention and
cessation. Psychological Medicine, 40(4), 699-700.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S003329170999167X
Firesheets, E. K., Francis, M., Barnum, A., & Rolf, L. (2012). Community-based prevention
support: Using the interactive systems framework to facilitate grassroots evidenced-based
substance abuse prevention. American Journal of Community Psychology,50(3-4), 34756. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10464-012-9506-x
HealthyPeople.gov. (2014). Substance abuse. Retrieved from
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/substance-abuse
Homefacts. (2014). Homefacts city report. Retrieved from
http://www.homefacts.com/city/Utah/Washington-County/St.-George.html
Millcreek High School. (2014). Millcreek history. Retrieved from http://mhs.washk12.org/aboutus/
Nies, M. A., McEwen, M. (2011). Community/public health nursing (5th ed). St. Louis, MO:
Elsevier
Sharma, M. (2013). Enhancing effectiveness of school-based drug abuse prevention
interventions. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 57(1), 3-6. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1446423596?accountid=27045

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Utah Department of Health. (2013) Utahs vital statistics: Births and deaths 2012. Retrieved
from http://www.health.utah.gov/vitalrecords

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