Health Promotion Plan

The misuse of alcohol or drugs by adolescents aged 12 to 18 is very harmful to their growth, well-being, and social lives. The main aim of this health promotion plan is Rowan County youth, particularly those in Landis and Salisbury. The purpose of the plan is to cut down on substance use through understanding risks, promoting learning, teaching healthy ways to cope, and connecting adolescents with support nearby.

Community Demographic Overview

Substance abuse is a growing concern among teenagers in Rowan County. While the area is mostly made up of white families, young people here face the same challenges as teens across the country. These challenges include poverty, family problems, emotional stress, and a lack of safe places where teens can relax or talk to someone. Without strong community support, some teens may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their feelings. In Rowan County, many families struggle to access mental health care and treatment for substance use.

The 2019 American Community Survey reported that the average household income was $49,842, and 22% of residents experienced food insecurity that same year. Only 5.6% of children under 19 had access to free healthcare in 2019 (Rowan County, 2021). These numbers show how difficult it can be for families to find affordable care. Transportation problems, high costs, and fear of judgment often stop families from getting help. Teens may also feel that adults do not understand them or are quick to judge. These barriers make it harder for young people to get early support, which can lead to long-term substance use problems.

Getting local data on teen substance use is also a challenge. Much of what we know comes from national surveys, which don’t always reflect the reality of life in Rowan County. Still, available data shows that the local substance use rate is about 47.1%. Studies also show that drug use is rising among teens in rural areas (Rowan County, 2021). White teens in these areas face serious risks related to substance use. Because of these issues, it is important to offer health education and support programs that are made for our community’s specific needs. These efforts can help prevent substance use and support teens in making healthy choices.

Community Profile and Its Connection to the Broader Adolescent Population

For this plan, the community is made up of adolescents aged 12 to 18 living in Rowan County, North Carolina. It is found in the Piedmont region and, like other regions in the area, has a population that is mostly white. Many rural communities and Rowan County is one of them, have troubles affecting youth health and well-being, mainly due to substance abuse. Alcohol or drug use is more common among adolescents in Rowan County who do not make much money. Since jobs are scarce and healthcare is not easily available, young people find it much more difficult to get help.

Resources for programs on prevention, healthy coping, and substance abuse at schools in the area can be insufficient (Rowan County, 2021). Moving around is not always easy, which restricts many individuals from receiving counseling and therapy. Most of the children here live where there are not many behavioral health services meant for their specific needs. Because of this, many teens experience loneliness and increased stress, which can increase their chances of using drugs. The levels of education in the county are low, which means fewer opportunities for many families to change their social or economic situation.

These cases display the same issues that come up in adolescent substance abuse anywhere in rural North Carolina and the United States. According to Rural Health Information Hub (2024), growing up in rural areas can cause youth to use substances more often than their city counterparts, owing to the lack of funds, healthcare, and few programs to prevent drug use. When local difficulties are understood, public health staff can make better health plans that people can use. Through considering adolescents’ needs in Rowan County, this plan hopes to lower the risk of substance abuse and support better health for young people in the region and similar communities.

Importance of Substance Abuse Prevention in Rowan 

The use of drugs and alcohol by young people in Rowan County is a threat to physical health and needs more attention. It is commonly found in national research that rural young people are more likely to use drugs and alcohol than their urban peers (Lee et al., 2024). Substance use at a young age can cause issues like mental health conditions, bad performance at school, risky actions, and health problems as they age. Early attention to these issues using health promotion may reduce addiction and benefit young people in the future.

Many of the teenagers in Rowan County struggle with poverty, matters of family stability, and lack of access to education. As a result of the indicated social and economic factors, the chances increase that youth might consume or become dependent on substances. A majority of people here are white, and there are not many figures on drug and alcohol use among local teenagers, but the main risk factors are easy to see. It makes it more challenging for teens to get suitable help because cultural sensitivity is often missing from the programs available. It is difficult for many in Rowan County to get mental health and substance use care.

Lots of families deal with access to healthcare for minors, and there is a lack of professionals skilled in teenage substance abuse. There is also stigma attached to getting help, and many young people distrust medical professionals (Mardani et al., 2023). If education, community help, and support among peers are the main points of health promotion, things can improve. Adolescent programs created using local culture and situations in Landis and Salisbury are more encouraged and successful. Showing young people respect and understanding through health promotion can strengthen their resilience, lower substance abuse, and make the community healthier.

SMART Health Goals for Substance Abuse Prevention

Jason Miller is a 14-year-old boy living in Landis, Rowan County, North Carolina. He lives with his father and older sister in a small town neighborhood. Jason has recently been struggling with feelings of loneliness and anger after his parents’ recent separation. He has started experimenting with prescription pills and alcohol, often alone at home. Teachers have noticed a drop in his grades and increasing irritability in class. Concerned about his behavior, the school social worker reached out to Jason and his family. Jason was referred to a community youth program that offers counseling and substance abuse prevention activities designed for teens in Rowan County. He has agreed to attend group sessions aimed at building coping skills and resilience.

Based on Jason’s needs and those of other adolescents in Rowan County, three clear goals were created for a single educational session focused on substance abuse prevention. These SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals were developed with input from teens in the community. To evaluate the session’s effectiveness, we will conduct a survey prior to and following the session to examine shifts in understanding, perspectives, and self-assurance regarding substance use prevention. This method will help us understand how effective the session is for teens like Jason.

Goal 1

By the end of the one-hour session, Jason and at least 85% of participants will accurately recognize four health risks related to substance use, such as addiction, mental health problems, accidents, and poor school performance (S). The session will use videos, simple talks, group discussions, and quizzes to help learning (A). Knowledge will be checked immediately after the session with a short quiz (M). This will ensure that participants understand and remember key risks right away (T). Increasing awareness is important for helping teens make safer choices (R).

Goal 2

By the end of the session, 60% of participants, including Jason, will express a willingness to have at least one meaningful conversation about substance use with family, friends, or school staff (S). Role-playing exercises and communication guides will encourage this goal (A). Printed and digital materials will be provided to support these conversations after the session. Willingness to engage in dialogue will be measured through the post-session survey (M). Open talks build support networks essential for preventing substance use (R).

Goal 3

By the end of the session, participants will learn at least two stress management techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, to help resist substance use urges (S). These techniques will be taught through guided practice and discussions (A). Confidence in using these strategies will be measured with the post-session survey (M). Teaching healthy coping skills during the session helps teens like Jason handle stress and reduce substance use risk (R).

Conclusion

Substance abuse among adolescents in Rowan County is a serious health concern that requires focused prevention efforts. This health promotion plan aims to support local youth by increasing awareness, improving communication, and teaching effective coping strategies. By understanding the community’s unique challenges and tailoring interventions to meet their specific needs, we can help reduce the risk of substance use and promote healthier choices. Programs like the one outlined here can empower young people to build resilience, seek support, and create a stronger, safer future for themselves and their community.

References

Lee, G., Hicks, D. L., Kedia, S., Regmi, S., & Mou, X. (2024). Mental health problems, substance use, and perceived risk as pathways to current cannabis use among high school seniors in the United States. Children and Youth Services Review, 158, 107456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107456 

Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 1

Mardani, M., Alipour, F., Rafiey, H., Khoshknab, M. F., & Arshi, M. (2023). Challenges in addiction-affected families: A systematic review of qualitative studies. BioMed Central Psychiatry, 23(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04927-1 

Rowan County. (2021). Community health needs assessment community health needs assessment. https://schs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/units/ldas/cha2021/Rowan2021-CHNA.pdf 

Rural Health Information Hub. (2024, August 2). Substance use and misuse in rural areas. Www.ruralhealthinfo.org. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/substance-use