Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 4

Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 4

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

Health Promotion Plan Presentation

Good morning. I am Emila, and I sincerely thank everyone for attending today’s session. We are pleased to welcome our partners as we focus on a critical public health issue: adolescent substance abuse prevention among 12 to 18-year-olds in Rowan County, particularly in the Landis and Salisbury communities. This presentation highlights the dangers of substance use, the value of early intervention, and tools to guide young people toward making informed, healthy decisions. We will introduce evidence-based resources that foster open dialogue, stress management, and access to local community support. The session is aligned with Healthy People 2030 objectives and structured using the SMART goals we previously developed.

Presentation Overview

This educational session will cover several key objectives. First, we will present facts and data on adolescent substance abuse, including prevalent risk factors and resulting health issues. Second, we will examine how drugs and alcohol negatively affect physical health and academic performance. Third, participants will learn how to identify early signs of substance use and engage in preventive actions. Fourth, the presentation aims to build participants’ ability to discuss substance-related topics with family and peers. The session includes interactive strategies such as group discussions, role-play scenarios, and stress-reduction practices. A post-session survey and quiz will be used to evaluate participants’ knowledge and confidence.

Understanding the Impact of Adolescent Substance Abuse

Adolescent substance misuse remains a pressing concern in rural communities like Rowan County, North Carolina. While national data provides some insight, it may not fully capture the local context. According to 2021 figures, the county’s adolescent substance use rate stood at 47.1% (Rowan County, 2021). Additionally, socioeconomic issues, including a median household income of \$49,842 and a 22% food insecurity rate, contribute to increased vulnerability among youth. Access to healthcare remains limited, with only 5.6% of children under 19 covered for free care (Rowan County, 2021). These challenges—poverty, instability, and inadequate mental health support—make youth in Landis and Salisbury particularly susceptible to high-risk behaviors (Lee et al., 2024).

Substance use during adolescence poses considerable health threats, including addiction, mental illness, poor academic performance, and risky behaviors such as impaired driving or unsafe sexual practices. Neurological development is particularly at risk, as prolonged use can disrupt brain functions like impulse control and decision-making. Interventions that focus on education, support systems, and early detection are essential to counter these risks (Horigian et al., 2020).

Advantages of Early Substance Abuse Prevention

Targeted prevention strategies during adolescence provide critical protection for young individuals’ physical, emotional, and social development. Youth aged 12 to 18 are especially vulnerable due to ongoing brain development. Delaying or avoiding substance use at this stage safeguards cognitive abilities such as decision-making and emotional control. Preventive efforts improve academic outcomes and reduce disciplinary issues, enhancing educational and future employment prospects (Tapert & Shumate, 2022). Furthermore, early intervention mitigates the risk of long-term addiction by fostering resilience and providing youth with healthy coping mechanisms (Dariotis & Chen, 2020). Teens engaged in structured prevention programs are more likely to form strong relationships and communicate openly with adults. Community-based efforts, such as those in Rowan County, reduce healthcare costs and create safer environments.

Effective Strategies for Discussing Prevention

Engaging adolescents and families in discussions about substance abuse requires thoughtful, research-informed communication. First, it is important to present facts from reliable sources like the CDC, NIDA, or SAMHSA. Evidence shows that informed discussions significantly reduce the risk of long-term addiction (Horigian et al., 2020). Second, families and providers should pose open-ended questions that promote dialogue. Questions such as, “How can we talk about peer pressure?” or “What signs should we look for?” invite reflection and collaboration (Kratovil et al., 2023). Third, professionals must challenge common misconceptions—such as the belief that one-time use is harmless—by explaining the long-term consequences of early experimentation. This approach reduces stigma and enhances awareness (Lee et al., 2024).

SMART Goals Developed for the Session

To monitor the effectiveness of this health promotion effort, SMART goals were established:

1. By the session’s conclusion, 85% of participants, including Jason, will correctly identify at least four significant health risks of substance abuse, such as addiction, psychological conditions, accidents, and academic decline.
2. A minimum of 60% of attendees will express readiness and confidence in discussing substance use issues with trusted adults or peers.
3. All participants (100%) will demonstrate familiarity and confidence with at least two stress-reduction methods, such as mindfulness and breathing exercises.

These goals are tailored to ensure that participants are equipped with the tools and confidence necessary to make responsible choices and support their peers in avoiding substance use.

Session Evaluation and SMART Goal Achievement

The outcomes of the session indicated strong achievement of the established SMART goals. Approximately 85% of participants accurately listed key substance abuse risks, showcasing high engagement and understanding. Sixty percent of attendees, including Jason, voiced their intention to initiate conversations about substance use, though this met the lower bound of our target. For the third goal, every participant successfully practiced and reported confidence in at least two coping techniques. This success suggests the session was well received and had a meaningful impact.

Identified Challenges and Recommendations for Future Sessions

Several barriers to effective communication were noted. Some adolescents, like Jason, were reluctant to speak about substance use without first consulting family members. Others needed more practice to apply stress-reduction methods independently. To address these issues, future sessions should include interactive family components, more extensive role-play exercises, and myth-busting modules to address misconceptions (Gu et al., 2021). Additionally, ongoing follow-up sessions are necessary to reinforce learned skills and deepen confidence in applying them. Participant feedback reinforced this need, with one teen expressing how the session helped manage stress and another stating they now feel ready to discuss difficult topics with parents.

Alignment with Healthy People 2030 Objectives

The session’s objectives and results align with the Healthy People 2030 initiative to lower substance use among adolescents. It achieved gains in risk awareness, communication skills, and coping strategies—all critical components in the national push to reduce youth substance abuse (Callaghan et al., 2023). While 100% of participants showed a willingness to engage in discussion, qualitative feedback revealed hesitation in initiating these conversations. To better align with national targets, future interventions must include deeper family engagement, myth clarification using evidence-based facts, and consistent follow-up through peer or digital tools (Horigian et al., 2020). These steps are vital for building long-term behavioral change and resilience.

Conclusion

Preventing substance use among adolescents in Rowan County demands a holistic, community-focused approach grounded in education, early intervention, and strong support systems. With strategies guided by SMART goals and Healthy People 2030 objectives, programs can equip youth with the knowledge and confidence needed to make healthier decisions, reduce risky behaviors, and thrive in safer environments.

References

Callaghan, R. C., Gatley, J. M., & Liu, L. (2023). Adolescent substance use and public health: Moving from data to action. Journal of Adolescent Health, 72(4), 389–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.01.006

Dariotis, J. K., & Chen, D. (2020). The role of prevention programs in reducing adolescent substance use. Health Education Research, 35(3), 191–203. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyaa015

Gu, J., Lau, J. T., Wang, Z., Wu, A. M., & Tan, X. (2021). Promoting communication to reduce drug use: A family-based approach. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 130, 108397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108397

Horigian, V. E., Schmidt, R. D., & Feaster, D. J. (2020). Predictors of adolescent drug use: Implications for prevention and intervention. Substance Use & Misuse, 55(6), 1052–1060. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2020.1713811

Kratovil, A., Hartwell, E. E., & Paiva, A. L. (2023). Parental communication strategies and youth substance use. Prevention Science, 24(1), 91–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-022-01390-1

Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 4

Lee, H. Y., Choi, Y., & Park, M. H. (2024). Substance use in rural youth: Examining socioeconomic and mental health determinants. Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12642

Rowan County. (2021). Community Health Assessment Report. https://www.rowancountync.gov

Tapert, S. F., & Shumate, R. D. (2022). Cognitive consequences of adolescent drug use: A neurodevelopmental perspective. Developmental Neuroscience, 44(1), 34–49. https://doi.org/10.1159/000524927