H.C.R. 3 Enrolled

1

RESOLUTION REGARDING THE HARMFUL
2 EFFECTS OF TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND
3 DRUGS ON YOUTH
4 2006 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Neil A. Hansen
7 Senate Sponsor: Michael G. Waddoups
8 Cosponsor:D. Gregg Buxton 9
10 LONG TITLE
11 General Description:
12 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges increased
13 awareness of the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs on youth.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . strongly urges educators in Utah's public education system to utilize Prevention
17 Dimensions, the state's Safe and Drug Free School curriculum, to educate students
18 regarding substance abuse;
19 . strongly urges the citizens of Utah to increase their awareness of the destructive
20 effects of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs on Utah's youth; and
21 . recognizes local youth councils and other youth groups for helping to keep their
22 peers from getting caught in the trap of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use, and
23 helping those caught in the grip of these harmful substances.
24 Special Clauses:
25 None
26
27 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
28 WHEREAS, 90% of tobacco users start before they reach the legal age of 19;
29 WHEREAS, 74% of adults reported that they had started using alcohol before the legal

30 drinking age of 21;
31 WHEREAS, the average age of beginning tobacco users is 11-12 years old;
32 WHEREAS, the average age of first time alcohol users is 12 years old;
33 WHEREAS, 1,000 youth try their first cigarette each day;
34 WHEREAS, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year-olds
35 and alcohol is involved in more than half of these fatalities;
36 WHEREAS, approximately 52% of surveyed youth ages 12 to 17 who were daily
37 cigarette smokers and 66% of youth who were heavy drinkers also used illicit drugs in the
38 month prior to being surveyed;
39 WHEREAS, these harmful substances negatively effect every aspect of a youth's life as
40 well as the lives of those around them;
41 WHEREAS, once youth have started using tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs it is very
42 difficult for them to stop;
43 WHEREAS, these substances cut short the lives and future of many youth by causing
44 death and disease;
45 WHEREAS, tremendous strides have been made in reducing tobacco, alcohol, and
46 illicit drug use among youth;
47 WHEREAS, there is still more that needs to be done to address this continuing
48 challenge;
49 WHEREAS, for every dollar spent on prevention programs, America saves seven
50 dollars in the cost of public aid, special education, and treatment services;
51 WHEREAS, youth are a resource and a catalyst for change in the lives of youth and
52 have proven to be a critical first line of defense in building resiliency among their peers;
53 WHEREAS, the Weber-Morgan Governing Youth Council and other youth groups are
54 working hard to promote positive lifestyles and combat the negative effects of tobacco, alcohol,
55 and illicit drugs on the lives of youth in Utah; and
56 WHEREAS, the fight against the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs must
57 continue, and become even more successful, if youth are to be spared the self-destructive

58 effects of these harmful substances:
59 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
60 Governor concurring therein, strongly urge educators in Utah's public education system to
61 utilize Prevention Dimensions, the state Safe and Drug Free School curriculum to educate the
62 state's youth concerning substance abuse.
63 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor strongly urge the
64 citizens of Utah to increase awareness of the destructive effects of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit
65 drugs on Utah's youth.
66 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize local
67 youth councils and other youth groups for their invaluable efforts in helping to keep their peers
68 from getting caught in the trap of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use, and helping those
69 caught in the grip of these harmful substances.
70 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to each of the
71 state's school districts.