MOTHER’S DAY VIRTUAL PRESS EVENT
Los Angeles County Prevention Providers Kick Off National Prevention Week with
Mother’s Day Event: Preventing Substance Misuse During Pandemic
WHAT: Mother’s Day, #ProudMomma Tribute to Mothers– the Kickoff to National Prevention Week, organized by Los Angeles County Prevention Providers, funded by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control.
WHEN: Sunday May 10th, Presentation from 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Interview opportunities for media are from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m.
WHERE: ZOOM (presentation starts at 3pm) https://bit.ly/proudmommapressevent
ZOOM (interviews starting at 4pm) https://bit.ly/sundaymediaroom
WHO: Sheila Kuehl, L.A. County (3rd) District Supervisor
Dr. Deborah Allen, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Deputy Director
Los Angeles County (SUD) Prevention Providers
WHY: To celebrate mothers and to launch National Prevention Week, to emphasize the dangers of substance misuse especially during Stay-at-home orders and to highlight local resources to prevent substance misuse and advance mental wellness.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, in L.A. County:
· About 2 million people use substances in an unhealthy or hazardous manner.
· Marijuana use among youth age 12 to 17 was nearly 13% higher than the national average, from 2014 to 2016.
· In surveys taken in 2017, 64 % of youth ages 12 to 17 reported it’s easy to get opioids.
· An average of 464 accidental opioid-related deaths occurred per year from 2011-2017.
· 14% of individuals ages 12-20 reported binge drinking at least one day in the past 30 days from the time they were surveyed.
(Los Angeles, CA) The COVID-19 pandemic is a stressful situation that poses a significant risk for drug and alcohol misuse. On a day where the nation pauses to honor mothers, public health experts are also acknowledging the role mothers play in helping children make healthy choices. The Los Angeles County Prevention Providers, funded by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control will kick off National Prevention Week with a special Mother’s Day tribute at the #ProudMomma Press Event.
Every year in May, communities and organizations across the country come together for National Prevention Week to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and mental health promotion and to make sure youth get the information they need before heading into summer break.
This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the five-day resource fair will be held entirely online through video conferencing (Zoom). Numerous local agencies and organizations are teaming up to provide information and inspiration on ways to prevent substance misuse.
Alcohol use has skyrocketed since the pandemic began. Cannabis outlets are considered essential businesses in California, and have remained open during the pandemic, potentially increasing the opportunities for youth to access cannabis products. People with compromised health due to smoking or vaping and people with opioid, meth, cannabis and other substance use disorders are at increased risk of COVID-19 with serious complications.
Speakers during the #Proudmomma Press Event will pay tribute to mothers and discuss the urgency of getting the prevention message to the community, during the pandemic.
Speakers:
· L.A. County (District 3) Supervisor Sheila Kuehl
· Dr. Deborah Allen, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Deputy Director
· Teresa Montes-Montalvo, Outreach Coordinator, Pasadena Public Health Department and mother of two daughters
· Maria Rutledge, Community Coalition's Nuisance Abatement Campaign, mother of one daughter
· Donna Jackson Houston, City of Pomona Community Life Commissioner and mother of two sons
· Ulises Guitierez, Social Model Recovery Systems Board Member
· Bertha Segura, Mom of Ulises
Speakers will be available for interviews starting at 4 p.m. on a separate Zoom link: https://bit.ly/sundaymediaroom
Starting Monday, May 11th and continuing through the week, the community is invited to spend their lunch hour (11:30 – Noon) online at the event, as dynamic speakers will provide a wealth of information and inspiration, focusing on the National Prevention Week topic of the day:
Monday, May 11: Preventing Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse
Tuesday, May 12: Preventing Underage Drinking and Alcohol Misuse
Wednesday, May 13: Preventing Illicit Drug Use and Youth Marijuana Use
Thursday, May 14: Preventing Youth Tobacco Use (E-Cigarettes and Vaping)
Friday, May 15: Preventing Suicide
National Prevention Week is under the umbrella of the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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