HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 12

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Debbie A. Rodella

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO INCORPORATE PEER-TO-PEER APPROACHES INTO EXISTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION EFFORTS.

     WHEREAS, in 2012, high school students at New Mexico's first centennial town hall called for an increase in the number of peer-to-peer substance abuse programs within schools and colleges to enable peers to promote and become the voice of substance abuse prevention, communication and referrals; and

     WHEREAS, the need for peer-to-peer substance abuse programs was endorsed by ninety-three percent of the two hundred students representing all regions of New Mexico, who attended the centennial town hall; and

     WHEREAS, the department of health and the human services department operate a wide range of existing substance abuse prevention programs, grants and initiatives, but most do not use peer-to-peer models; and

     WHEREAS, extensive research has shown that peer programs can have statistically substantial effects on attitudes, norms, knowledge, behaviors and health and achievement outcomes; and

     WHEREAS, research has concluded that peer-to-peer models have reduced the use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and other drugs, anabolic steroids and diet pills and have reduced injection risk behaviors; and

     WHEREAS, research has demonstrated that peer-to-peer models have improved other outcomes, including employment, school attendance, school grades and graduation rates; and

     WHEREAS, research has found that peer-to-peer models have improved the outcomes of non-sexual risk behaviors, resulting in reduced arrest rates, reduced sports injuries and reduced incidents of riding with a driver who had been using substances; and

     WHEREAS, research has shown that peer-to-peer models have improved healthy behaviors such as seeking appropriate health care;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health and the human services department be requested to examine existing substance abuse prevention programs and funding and, where possible, incorporate peer-to-peer approaches; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the departments be requested to achieve this goal in a number of ways, including shifting funds between existing programs to increase the use of peer-to-peer approaches, changing existing program models to incorporate peer-to-peer components or modifying the grant requirements in future requests for proposals to include peer-to-peer strategies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of health and human services.

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