The Marin Prevention Network is a collaboration of community coalitions, organizations and individuals actively seeking to change norms, policies, and laws that affect the availability, promotion, sale, and use of alcohol and other drugs. Our hope and goal is to create a supportive and healthy environment for all youth in Marin County.
Spotlight
Read the latest articles on our spotlight blog
California’s Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products Now in Effect
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) / Office of Communications What You Need to Know: California’s emergency regulations to ban THC-containing hemp products and establish stronger protections to safeguard California’s children from the dangerous effects of THC are now in effect. Retail sale of hemp food, beverage, and dietary products containing detectable amounts of THC is now unlawful…
Keeping Kids Safe: How To Talk Other Parents About Limiting Access to Alcohol and Drugs
by Amanda Sheeren / from betheinfluencemarin.org As a parent, you may already be aware of the dangers surrounding underage substance use, the importance of setting boundaries, and the need to limit access to alcohol and drugs. You’re familiar with the Social Host Ordinance in your city, you’ve taken steps to lock up substances at home, set clear…
Governor Newsom issues regulations to protect kids from dangerous and intoxicating hemp products
Governor Newsom announced emergency regulations to ban THC-containing hemp products and create stronger state protections to safeguard California’s children from the dangerous effects of unregulated THC.
Take a look of a few of the countywide initiatives we are working on with our partners across Marin:
Community Prevention Resources
Let’s Talk Booklet
Check out the Let’s Talk Booklet – a comprehensive toolkit for navigating teen substance use in Marin County.
This resource includes information on how the teenage brain works, why substance use is a big deal, definitions of common substances, tips for providing support, and more!
Find Your Way
The purpose of the Find Your Way campaign is to promote help seeking and connection to local youth resources to support well-being. This campaign, along with the Resource Guide, is designed by youth for youth and promotes messages that are accessible and relatable.
School Communication Toolkit
The purpose of the toolkit is to provide schools K – 12 with communication to send out to parents and faculty about subjects related to substance use including root causes and protective factors. The School Communication Toolkit is a compilation of resources including letters, facts, and data for schools to use and customize for your needs. The toolkit is accessible to all schools in Marin County and is sorted by subject matter.
Numb or Nourish
Pause, Reflect, Decide is a 3-step sequence that teaches how to take a moment to pause, to reflect on how we can best take care of ourselves, and to make a conscious decision.
Underage Cannabis Use
Cannabis and Vaping Education and Community Outreach
MPN has become concerned about the high rates of cannabis use among young people in Marin. A substantial body of research shows that when youth under the age of 26 use cannabis frequently or heavily for “recreational” purposes, they can experience a wide range of adverse effects, including altered brain development, impaired decision-making, poor academic performance, diminished life satisfaction, cannabis dependence and addiction, and other mental health problems.
Decoded
Decoded is a Youth Marijuana Education Initiative from the County of San Mateo. This initiative was launched in partnership with the San Mateo County Youth Commission to educate youth and young adults about the facts on cannabis use. This campaign aims to provide reliable, factual information so that young people have the tools they need to make informed decisions that impact their health and futures.
Underage Alcohol Use
Raising the Bar
The Raising the Bar Campaign aims to elevate kids’ experience in youth-oriented programs by changing the social norms around the consumption of alcohol and other substances. Parents, program directors, and community members work together to promote healthy choices and keep youth events substance-free.
Social Host Ordinance
All cities in Marin, as well as Marin County itself, have adopted some form of “Social Host” Ordinance. Social Host Ordinances generally provide for a violation when there are “two or more minors at a place, residence or other private property”, and “alcoholic beverages, marijuana or other controlled substances are possessed or consumed by one or more of the minors”.
Data and Evaluation
California Healthy Kids Survey – Marin County Secondary 2021-2022 Main Report (PDF)
Marin County Trends in Youth Alcohol Cannabis and Other Drug Use 2008-18 (PDF)
Trends in Youth Alcohol, Cannabis and Other Drug Use in Marin County, 2008-18 (PDF)
Marin HHS, Substance Use Services Strategic Prevention Plan 2020-2025 (PDF)
