DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49

RECOGNIZING MAY 7-13, 2023, AS "YOUTH HEALTH AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, substance use disorder and mental health problems affect all communities nationwide; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 61.2 million Americans aged 12 and older used illicit drugs in the past year; and

WHEREAS, nearly six million young people (aged 12 to 20) reported underage drinking alcohol in the past month and 22% of Americans (74 million people) aged 12 and older used tobacco products or an e-cigarette or other vaping device to vape nicotine in the past month; and

WHEREAS, early drug use adversely impacts young people by putting them at risk for developing substance use disorders and mental health challenges into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health done by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that in 2019-2020, past month illicit drug use for 12 to 17-year-olds in Delaware was 6.7% and 7.71% nationally; and

WHEREAS, the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in those aged 15-24 is accidental poisoning; and

WHEREAS, in Delaware, 6.22% of all 12 to 17 year-olds meet the criteria for illicit drug use disorder and 3.11% in that same age group meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder in the last year; and

WHEREAS, the impact of mental health and substance use disorders is apparent in our local communities; and

WHEREAS, with commitment, support, and collaboration from federal, state, and local entities, substance use and mental health disorders can be prevented or lessened; and

WHEREAS, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has sponsored National Prevention Week annually with a focus on changing the prevention landscape by providing evidence-based and accessible resources to facilitate collective action and story-sharing; and

WHEREAS, prevention has been at the core of health and wellness in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, organizations like the Delaware Prevention Partners work in collaboration with state agencies and community organizations to engage youth with prevention programming and resources early on; and

WHEREAS, on May 9 ^th , 2023, thirty high school students representing schools in all three counties participated in a forum with Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, members of the Behavioral Health Consortium, and policy makers to share ideas and bring solutions and recommendations to address important substance abuse and mental health issues.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152 ^nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that May 7-13, 2023, shall be known as “Youth Health Awareness and Prevention Week” in Delaware, encouraging State agencies and community organizations to spread awareness, share evidence-based prevention programming and resources, and engage youth in age-appropriate supports.

SYNOPSIS

This concurrent resolution designates May 7-13, 2023, as "Youth Health Awareness and Prevention Week" in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Hansen