RECOGNIZING JUNE 17, 2025, AS YOUTH PREVENTION DAY IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Heffernan & Sen. Cruce

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 71

RECOGNIZING JUNE 17, 2025, AS YOUTH PREVENTION DAY IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, substance misuse 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 ages 12 and older used illicit drugs in the past year; and

WHEREAS, nearly 6 million young people (aged 12 to 20) reported 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 misuse correlates with early life substance use disorders, stunting development and often persisting into the adult years; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, approximately 21.3% of 8

th

graders have tried illicit drugs at least once and by the time they are in the 12

th

grade, 46.6% of teens have tried illicit drugs; and

WHEREAS, 11.2% of overdose deaths nationwide are from those aged 15 to 24 years; and

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

WHEREAS,

in 2019, 36.5% of U.S. high school students reported that they currently use a tobacco product and 27.5% reported using e-cigarettes, and in Delaware, 19.4% of high school students report using a tobacco product and 13.6% report using an e-cigarette; 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 June 17, 2025, thirty high school students representing schools in all three counties participated in a forum with the Lt. Governor, members of the Behavioral Health Consortium, and policymakers to share ideas and bring solutions and recommendations to address important substance abuse and mental health issues.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that June 17, 2025, shall be known as Youth Prevention Day 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 House Concurrent Resolution designates June 17, 2025, as Youth Prevention Day in the state of Delaware.