Substance abuse is one of the most pertinent issues facing most communities. States and nations today. Mainly, tobacco smoking takes the center-stage for its widespread use. Additionally, the effects of tobacco traverse both users and non-users due to exposure to the smoke. As such, approaches to limit the use of tobacco is placed at the top of the list by community experts and professionals. Protecting the welfare of the populations is a significant health strategy, and this is applicable through the presence of coalitions that not only promote social norm change but also enhance policy adoption (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). In the united states, one of the leading issues surrounding tobacco consumption is the presence of weak policies in some states. This challenge arises through the tactical approaches by the tobacco industry to pre-empt communities from passing laws that are highly restrictive. Oklahoma is a state that Is experiencing high consumption of tobacco, and this has led to the implementation of voluntary policies for tobacco control hence improving the protection of community health and communities without violating the existing preemption. Before implementing voluntary policies require community awareness and education must be done to ensure the formation of local coalitions and strong allies for informed decision-making. This strategy ultimately provides the establishment of tobacco-free public areas, schools, and businesses (McCaffree, Strader, " Bisbee, 2015). Both journal articles highlight community organization programs to enhance the exposure of community members to tobacco smoke using specific strategies for optimum outcomes.
Involved Constituencies, Involvement, and Selection
In the community organization program illustrated by Douglas et al. (2015), the concerned constituencies encompassed the entire Oklahoma state. In this region, schools, businesses, and outdoor recreational areas took an active part in the implementation of the strategies. As such, the involvement of the constituencies focused on the prevention of sale, purchase, advertisement, promotion, sampling, and use of tobacco products in these areas which is a health risk to the public. Simply put, the selection was made based on exposure of tobacco to the public and minors as well as the capacity to contribute to the restoration of safeguarding practices in the society.
Similarly, the article by Rhoades " Beebe (2015) highlights the selection of Oklahoma state due to its extremely high prevalence of tobacco use compared to other regions. The constituency selection was based on the ability to form stable local partnerships with the community to realize a tobacco-free society as well as best practices for limiting preventable deaths and morbidity resulting from tobacco use.
Community Organizing and Community Building Strategies and Techniques
According to Douglas et al. (2015), the community organization strategy focused on the recognition of all the people and groups responsible for decision-making based on the dynamic social and physical surroundings of the region. Using the approach of social norm change, the program sought to assist smokers to quit or reduce the level of consumption. Likewise, the protection of non-smokers from second-hand exposure and minors from use is also a priority. Rather than individual education, this community organization strategy utilized a population-based approach to inform the community on the social norm changes that require reformation. This method not only educated the public but also offered cessation services for smokers. Ultimately, the population-based involvement in health education and decision-making was put in place intentionally to foster local voluntary policies that prohibit smoking in all areas that affect the public including learning institutions (Ross, Dearing, " Rollins, 2015).
Contrary to the above mention community organization strategy, the other program employed community-based education programs that incorporated renowned and active groups including the Communities of Excellence in Tobacco Control (CX) together with the SWAT youth movement. However, this approach preferred the utilization of coalitions to enact social norm changes aimed at empowering the youth in the process of exposing risky practices in the tobacco industry. This strategy is similar to the one provided by Douglas et al. (2015). Once equipped with the necessary information through the respective community movements, the individuals were able to expose inadequacies and issues concerning tobacco industry activities (Rhoades " Beebe, 2015).
Challenges and how were they were Overcome
One of the main problems encompasses the state pre-emption which hinders the enactment of local changes. This issue prevents the smooth application of social norm changes. Another aspect involves the possibility that the new modifications could limit or offend visitors and tourists in recreational centers. In efforts to counter these two pertinent problems, the experts took the time to directly engage community residents through education, knowledge-sharing, and awareness to garner support for the adoption of the local policy. Secondly, the district superintendent also collaborated with community members, the staff of various institutions and public-school board members. In this way, a robust, trustworthy relationship was built, information was shared, and resources were committed in favor of the policy change (Douglas et al., 2015).
In contrast, the article by Rhoades " Beebe, (2015) experienced barriers relating to preemption alone. This challenge was efficiently countered through the creation of community coalitions with the two alliances (SWAT youth and Communities of Excellence in Tobacco Control). These two agencies conducted adequate media campaigns purposefully for the education of the public regarding second-hand smoking, assisting the users to quit and also exposing specific tobacco industry practices to the public (Rhoades " Beebe, 2015)
Outcomes
Reports indicate that the community organization program saw the passage of the tobacco-free school policy in the year 2007 (Beebe, 2013). This achievement was closely followed by the passing and implementation of the clean indoor and outdoor air ordinances as well as youth access to cessation services. On top of that, the local youth baseball and football groups embraced the tobacco-free policy relevance within their playgrounds. As such, by the year 2013, 99% of schools accepted the 24/7 tobacco-free policy (Douglas et al., 2015).
Likewise, the community organization program discussed by (Rhoades " Beebe, 2015) saw a significant reduction in smoking prevalence, with declines from 108 packets per individual annually to 71. In general, the number of cigarettes smoked by adults dropped incredibly with the youth experiencing the highest reductions. By the year 2012, approximately 70% of smokers showed the intention to quit with about 60% making significant attempts to cease. Most impressively, 53% of smokers prohibited other to smoke in homes by the year 2010 (Saul " Davis, 2013).
Success of the Efforts
Both community organization efforts proved to be significantly successful. Although the organizers and experts opted for slightly different approaches, the programs expertly performed the intended functions. The first program efficiently utilized the social norm change method by involving community residents, agencies, and policy-makers in education and collaborative information sharing to garner support for the ultimate implementation of the local policy protecting the public against tobacco. Similarly, the other program utilized agency collaboration with a focus on the youth to offer health education, awareness, cessation assistance and exposure of tobacco activities (Tobacco Free Kids, 2014). The outcome accomplished the tasks of reducing tobacco prevalence, especially among the youth.
Recommendations
Meaningful improvements to the issue of substance abuse especially regarding tobacco can be best achieved through a commitment to useful coordinated approaches. It is therefore essential to incorporate all people in health education while at the same time leveraging on the unique attributes provided by partners, resources, systems and communities as agents necessary for enacting similar evidence-based strategies. Best practices require constant reviews, continuous health education and engagement to facilitate the change of norms surrounding tobacco use attitude and policies. Furthermore, new approaches, collaborations and opportunities among residents, learning institutions, businesses, healthcare systems and experts to realize a tobacco-free environment (Beebe, 2013).
The value of indulging opinion leaders in such health education and community organization ventures cannot be overemphasized. These key-decision-makers are essential in directing the community’s receptiveness towards change and perceptions. It is also critical to conduct similar community building activities involving nutrition and physical activity to supplement the policies put in place. Finally, subject matter training, advocacy and information dissemination for members, community partners and leaders catalyze changes in social norms (Ross, Dearing, " Rollins, 2015).
References
Beebe, L. (2013). Evaluation of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline annual report.
Oklahoma City, OK: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Best practices for comprehensive tobacco control programs. Atlanta GA: DHHS, CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health.
Beebe, M. R., Manion, C. A., Hall-Harper, V. D., Terronez, K. M., Love, C. A., " Chan, A. (2015). Case Studies from Community Coalitions: Advancing Local Tobacco Control Policy in a Preemptive State. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 48(1), 29-35.
McCaffree, R., Strader, T., " Bisbee, J. (2015). A brief history of the tobacco settlement in Oklahoma. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 48(1), 3-5.
Rhoades, R. R., " Beebe, L. A. (2015). Tobacco Control and Prevention in Oklahoma: Best Practices in a Preemptive State. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 48(1), 6-12.
Ross, H., Dearing, J., " Rollins, A. (2015). Oklahoma’s youth-driven tobacco policy campaigns: Assessment of impact and lessons learned. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 48(1), 36-43.
Saul, J., " Davis, R. (2013). Results from the 2012 NAQC Annual Survey of Quitlines. Phoenix, AZ : North American Quitline Consrtium.
Tobacco Free Kids. (2014). Broken promises to our children: The 1998 state tobacco settlement 15 years later. Retrieved from Tobacco Free Kids: www.tobaccofreekids.org/what_we_do/state_local/tobacco_settlement/
