Washington State University researcher Elizabeth Weybright on Thursday briefed the state House Commerce and Gaming Committee on a wide array of university efforts to better understand what works when it comes to preventing youth substance abuse.
Weybright is the interim director of WSU Extension’s Youth and Families unit and an Associate Professor in Human Development. She indicated there’s great efficiency in targeting prevention strategies in young people because there is greater opportunity to address multiple substances at once. She cited work done by the Murrow College of Communication that youth perceptions of substance abuse and normal behaviors heavily influence whether youths will abuse themselves.
She indicated participants in existing programing targeting youths aged 10 to 14 often draw a strong number of those from low income backgrounds who perceive there to be a high availability of prescribed substances.
“Those who need it the most are benefitting the most,” Weybright said.
She noted the university provides fact sheets and other materials designed to translate the latest research to program providers.
You can watch her presentation below.