E. EDUCATION

Low educational achievement and poor academic performance among peers are risk factors associated for youth violence; while high educational aspirations are protective and lessen the likelihood of youth violence victimization or perpetration. From a quality education early in life to social-emotional supports in high school, educational attainment improves the economic outlook for individuals and the community as a whole.

Salinas Union High School District (SUHSD)

- Irelia Dominguez, Director of Pupil Personnel Services

The Salinas Union High School District, has been intentional and deliberate in integrating systems of support and increasing community partnerships to prevent youth violence. We have successfully implemented Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) with fidelity on all our campuses. We have expanded our partnerships to include a mental health therapist at every school in order support our youth. Our high schools have a dedicated resource counselor assigned through Community Human Services, offering programs such as Youth Alternatives to Violence. All our middle schools have a Sticks and Stones counselor. We have trained all our students on how to respond to an active shooter. We have updated and refined our suicide risk assessment, to respond systematically to students in mental distress. Finally, we are truly excited to open two Wellness Centers at Everett Alvarez High School and Harden Middle School to address the entire student and their needs.

Goal V: All youth and their families are engaged with schools to ensure academic achievement and positive youth development, in a safe environment

• Increase daily attendance and graduation rates; and decrease truancy and dropout rates.

• Improve school safety and prevent bullying.

• Increase parent participation in children’s education and schools.

• Strengthen schools’ collaboration with organizations that support student success, during school and after school hours.

• Increase capacity of alternate educational pathways.

• Implement culturally and linguistically sustaining practices to improve reading proficiency.

Perception of School Staff Safety

All Salinas Union High School Dstrict Schools

(High School Students and Staff)

79% of SUHSD students considered socioeconomically disadvantaged, because they are 79% eligible for free or reduced priced meals; or have parents/ guardians who did not receive a high school diploma (2020)

86% of all SUHSD students graduated from highschool, including students who complete their graduation requirements at an alternative school (2019)

F. DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Involvement with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco is a risk factor for youth violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, suicide, bullying and other forms of violence. Access to alcohol can be reduced by enforcing local licensing regulations to decrease the density of alcohol-related businesses. Proponents of legalizing marijuana contend that this will lower street crime, take business away from the drug cartels, and make marijuana use safer through regulation.

Legalization of Cannabis in California

- Reyna Alcala, Director of Prevention and Jorge Rubio, Prevention Coordinator, Sun Street Centers

On November 8, 2016, by statewide initiative, the voters enacted the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, creating a state licensing program for commercial adult-use cannabis activities. On June 27, 2017, the state enacted the Medicinal and Adult-Use of Cannabis Regulatory and Safety Act (Business and Professions Code Section 26000 et seq.), which com- bined the medical marijuana and adult use laws into a single state licensing scheme. In spite of legislation, California’s black market was estimated as worth more than four times the value of the legal market. Current studies have shown that more frequent use of marijuana, especially high potency cannabis, increases the odds of having a psychotic epi- sode later.1 Psychosis has been associated with increased likelihood of violence, including self-harm.2 More research is needed on the effects of cannabis and the brain, especially in adolescents.

1. Marta Di Forti, PhD, Diego Quattrone, MD, Tom P Freeman, PhD, et al. “The contribution of cannabis use to variation in the incidence of psychotic disorder across Europe (EU-GEI): a multicentre case-control study.” The Lancet VOLUME 6, ISSUE 5, P427-436, Accessed 5/1/01, 2019 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/ article/PIIS2215-0366(19)30048-3/fulltext

2. Douglas, K.S., Guy, L. S., & Hart, S. D. (2009). Psychosis as a risk factor for violence to others: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 135(5), 679-706. Accessed 7/25/19 https://psycnetapa.org/doi/10.1037/a0016311

Goal VI: Reduce the demand and supply of alcohol and drugs

• Decrease the supply and demand for illegal drugs; and the misuse of prescription drugs.

• Decrease alcohol abuse among adults and prevent alcohol use among youth.

• Increase access to treatment for substance abuse, including for youth and families.

The amount of cannabis tax revenue generated in Salinas in 2020. Tax revenue also generated $166,199 in monitoring and enforcement fees. * https://www.montereycountyweekly. com/news/local_news/salinas-isgenerating-big-cannabis-tax-revenuethe-question-now-is-how-to-spend-it/ article_31b2b34e-81ec-11eb8164-e78 4d9ede989.html

LIFETIME ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA USE

All Salinas Union High

Summary of AOD Lifetime Use, Salinas Union High School District, California Healthy Kids

Survey: Main Report, California Department of Education