Regional Prevention Center of Wyandotte County
Mission and Purpose
“Effective substance abuse prevention in Wyandotte County”.
The Regional Prevention Center is one of thirteen centers in Kansas supported by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. By providing an innovative framework of leadership and guidance, the Regional Prevention Center supports community efforts to create an environment that produces healthy lifestyles free of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Kansas Communities That Care
Just as medical researchers have found risk factors for heart attacks, research has defined a set of risk factors for drug abuse. There is an interrelationship between adolescent drug abuse, delinquency, school dropout, teen pregnancy, and violence. All of these teen problems share many common risk factors. The more risk factors present, the greater the likelihood a person will develop drug abuse and other problem behaviors.
Risk-focused prevention is based on a simple premise: to prevent a problem from happening, we need to identify the factors that increase the risk of that problem from developing and then find ways to reduce the risks. The Regional Prevention Center collects and analyzes county level data to measure the incidence and prevalence of these adolescent problem behaviors. The risk-focused prevention model has also identified promising program approaches that can reduce the likelihood of the problems from occurring.
LOGIC Model
The project uses the following “LOGIC Model” for promoting effective substance abuse prevention.
- Identify desired outcomes
- Prioritize risk and protective factors for adolescent problem behaviors
- Select programs, policies and practices that have been proven effective
- Develop community change goals
- Recruit community partners
The Dangers of Alcohol and Drug Use
The use or misuse of illicit drugs and alcohol can lead to or result in a variety of health risks including, but not limited to, addiction or dependency, physical infirmities and trauma, mental and emotional disorders, and, in some cases, harm to unborn children. Young people who are involved in juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, school dropout, teenage pregnancy, or violence are more likely to engage in one or more of the other problem behaviors.
Resources
A variety of resources exists for effective prevention programs, policies and practices. Videos, books, curriculum and brochures are available at the Regional Prevention Center concerning prevention and rehabilitation programs. For more detailed information or referrals, call the Regional Prevention Center at 288-7685 or check the web page at www.wyco-rpc.net. Such contacts are kept confidential.
Location
J. Paul Jewell Student Center-Room 3331