CPSI/MPSI Data in Action
Using results from the data collected through the CPSI/MPSI surveys, prevention service providers have begun transforming the CPSI/MPSI data into action by targeting locations where cannabis/marijuana smoke exposure is high. Below are some of the provider efforts.
Day One, Inc.
Day One aims to reclaim parks as cannabis/marijuana smoke-free, safe places for communities.
In a recent survey conducted by Day One, 83% of residents throughout Pasadena responded that they have been exposed to secondhand cannabis/marijuana smoke at their local parks. Additionally, 52% of respondents said their children have been exposed to second-hand cannabis/marijuana smoke at local parks.
While conducting surveys, staff spoke to local residents and captured their concerns about park safety and learned about residents’ daily experiences with cannabis/marijuana exposure. At La Pintoresca Park, staff noticed that smokers were monopolizing the picnic area and smoke was looming over the play ground. Staff also noticed that law enforcement presence at the park did little to minimize smoking. Teens hanging out at the park referred to it as “weed park” and shared that this was a common occurrence.
Staff also connected with smokers at the park and asked them to share their concerns. Many smokers said they had no where else to smoke and that the parks were the only safe place they had. Additionally, smokers shared that they used the park for its facilities but their access to power was cut off. This inspired staff to develop relationships with park users in order to capture their needs, share resources, and create a safer park space for all.
Day One also shared these findings at a community meeting “Let’s Clear the Air: Cannabis/marijuana Smoke & Our Parks” in order to increase awareness of local conditions and gather community input. Community recommendations included launching “smoke free park hours,” developing park signage, and increasing enforcement at parks.
Day One is focusing its efforts on activities and events to reclaim parks for safe community use. This includes activating the parks with AOD free activities to encourage families and residents to feel safe using the park, such as holding yoga events and soccer games.
Day One will continue to collaborate with local partners to turn these recommendations into action and support AOD free activities!
San Fernando Valley Partnership (SFVP)
SFVP held a breakfast with the SPA 2 Apartment Manager Association to review collected CPSI/MPSI data and discuss next steps.
At the meeting, apartment managers were able to describe local conditions and identify root causes of the problem. In addition, SFVP strategized with apartment managers to come up with tailored solutions that fit the respective needs of each apartment location. Solutions discussed included development of a key informant survey for apartment managers to identify issues surrounding cannabis/marijuana smoke in apartments, posting signs and providing training for apartment staff.
Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS)
Skid Row Community Mobilization and Park Activation
Skid Row parks (San Julian Park and Gladys Park) are small but highly utilized public gathering spaces which provide respite from the sidewalks, shelters, and tiny residential units. Social Model Recovery Systems’ (SMRS) Skid Row prevention program, United Coalition East Prevention Project, is dedicated to expanding community wellness and safety at these parks. This is accomplished by advocacy with neighborhood stakeholders to expand resources, amenities, and community-based programming. SMRS’ efforts and community collaborations have yielded many successes, including the establishment of several annual community events, expansion of park amenities (i.e. permanent restrooms), and secured representation from LA City Recreation and Parks at monthly community meetings. SMRS staff have also noted a dramatic reduction in public smoking (and other AOD-related activity) during community events and will continue to utilize their existing relationships and grass roots approach to address local concerns identified in the CPSI/MPSI survey. CPSI/MPSI preliminary data documents a lower occurrence of perceived public smoking at the two aforementioned Skid Row Parks than at Pershing Square, another Downtown LA park. We attribute this to the sense of ownership, cohesion, and accountability resulting from grass-roots mobilization and sustained park activation. We will build upon this approach as we expand local CPSI/MPSI prevention efforts.
South East Community Alliance (SECA)
SECA, a coalition comprised of five prevention provider agencies, has begun to advocate for the reduction of secondhand smoke exposure on community college campuses throughout Los Angeles County.
In an effort to increase the dialogue around secondhand cannabis/marijuana smoke exposure, SECA hosted several townhalls at various community college in Los Angeles. At the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) “Cannabis/Marijuana Secondhand Smoke” Assembly, the SECA coalition presented results from the MPSI surveys as well as evidence based data about the negative health impacts of cannabis/marijuana secondhand smoke exposure to over 50 participants. Though cannabis/marijuana use and smoking is prohibited at ELAC, participants, nonetheless, expressed concerns about the cannabis/marijuana secondhand smoke that exists on campus. In particular, participants were concerned with the impact of this on their children and health concerns, such as allergies that may be triggered by exposure.
Participants proposed various ways to help decrease the impact of secondhand cannabis/marijuana smoke, such as the creation of a device that smokers can blow into, the creation of designated cannabis/marijuana smoking areas, and increasing the placement of larger, visible, no-smoking signage across campus. Members of the SECA Coalition are actively working with ELAC administrators and student campus organizations, such as the WORK Environment Committee (WEC) and Students Against Substance Abuse (SASA), to increase their “No cannabis/marijuana use and vaping” signage.
Thus far, larger and more visible signs have replaced the much smaller signs. Moving forward, SECA will continue working with ELAC and other community colleges – not only to inform them of the important results of the CPSI/MPSI surveys but to commend community colleges for their initiative in creating a smoke-free community college campus!
