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H.C.R. 3
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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 the state's Safe
17 and Drug Free School curriculum to educate students regarding substance abuse;
18 . strongly urges the citizens of Utah to increase their awareness of the destructive
19 effects of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs on Utah's youth; and
20 . recognizes local youth councils and other youth groups for helping to keep their
21 peers from getting caught in the trap of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use, and
22 helping those caught in the grip of these harmful substances.
23 Special Clauses:
24 None
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26 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
27 WHEREAS, 90% of tobacco users start before they reach the legal age of 19;
28 WHEREAS, 74% of adults reported that they had started using alcohol before the legal
29 drinking age of 21;
30 WHEREAS, the average age of beginning tobacco users is 11-12 years old;
31 WHEREAS, the average age of first time alcohol users is 12 years old;
32 WHEREAS, 1,000 youth try their first cigarette each day;
33 WHEREAS, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year-olds
34 and alcohol is involved in more than half of these fatalities;
35 WHEREAS, approximately 52% of surveyed youth ages 12 to 17 who were daily
36 cigarette smokers and 66% of youth who were heavy drinkers also used illicit drugs in the
37 month prior to being surveyed;
38 WHEREAS, these harmful substances negatively effect every aspect of a youth's life as
39 well as the lives of those around them;
40 WHEREAS, once youth have started using tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs it is very
41 difficult for them to stop;
42 WHEREAS, these substances cut short the lives and future of many youth by causing
43 death and disease;
44 WHEREAS, tremendous strides have been made in reducing tobacco, alcohol, and
45 illicit drug use among youth;
46 WHEREAS, there is still more that needs to be done to address this continuing
47 challenge;
48 WHEREAS, for every dollar spent on prevention programs, America saves seven
49 dollars in the cost of public aid, special education, and treatment services;
50 WHEREAS, youth are a resource and a catalyst for change in the lives of youth and
51 have proven to be a critical first line of defense in building resiliency among their peers;
52 WHEREAS, the Weber-Morgan Governing Youth Council and other youth groups are
53 working hard to promote positive lifestyles and combat the negative effects of tobacco, alcohol,
54 and illicit drugs on the lives of youth in Utah; and
55 WHEREAS, the fight against the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs must
56 continue, and become even more successful, if youth are to be spared the self-destructive
57 effects of these harmful substances:
58 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
59 Governor concurring therein, strongly urge educators in Utah's public education system to
60 utilize the state Safe and Drug Free School curriculum to educate the state's youth concerning
61 substance abuse.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor strongly urge the
63 citizens of Utah to increase awareness of the destructive effects of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit
64 drugs on Utah's youth.
65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize local
66 youth councils and other youth groups for their invaluable efforts in helping to keep their peers
67 from getting caught in the trap of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use, and helping those
68 caught in the grip of these harmful substances.
69 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to each of the
70 state's school districts.
Legislative Review Note
as of 8-29-05 9:04 AM
Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.