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We are CoPALM, a coalition group whose mission is to promote safer and healthier communities through reducing alcohol, marijuana, and other drug-related harms and empowering the community to make informed decisions.
This is our monthly newsletter, where you can learn about our efforts to create a thriving and enjoyable community free of the harms caused by alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs in the greater Los Angeles area.
Also, please join us on our monthly general meeting that takes place every second Tuesday of the month from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at KYCC's Lafayette Office which is located at 520 S. Lafayette Park Pl #560, Los Angeles CA 90057.
Please contact: copalmLA@gmail.com for any questions!
The next CoPALM Meeting will be on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
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Meet the Writers from YDAPP
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This newsletter was developed by the leadership team of the Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Program (YDAPP) who seek to spread awareness about the harms of substance misuse to their peers and community. The newsletter incorporates the writers' thoughts and opinions about today's issues as they relate to their lived experiences.
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[From top left right] Alex (16), Karsten (16), Seogene (17)
[From bottom left to right] Hannah (18), Esther (17), Jasmine (16)
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Op-ed: CoPALM Community Brunch Recap
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On October 11th, CoPALM held a Community Brunch event at the offices of The Wall Las Memorias. It was an engaging and informative event on CoPALM's collective impact projects and their work against substance misuse in the LA Metro area. The event began with the members of CoPALM introducing their organization, mission, and vision for the community. I learned about what SPAs are and some of the events CoPALM organizes in my SPA area.
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One event that stood out to me was National Prevention Week, where CoPALM visited a middle school and hosted a workshop to inform students about the dangers of drug abuse. Something new that I learned was that there was an emergency hemp ban extension in March 2025, which helped departments properly enforce hemp regulations. Towards the end of the brunch, there was a fun activity where people got to share about how drug abuse has affected their communities and proposed solutions to address those issues. This event really helped enrich my knowledge of the impact of drug abuse and I would totally attend it again if I had the chance.
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Op-Ed: Native American Heritage Month
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Native American Heritage month is celebrated to commemorate indigenous cultures, especially as a way to resist the historical erasure of identities the U.S. has committed against First Peoples. As we celebrate the rich traditions of Native Americans, it is equally important to address the big issue of substance abuse that particularly devastates Native Americans.
Substance misuse in Native American populations is among the highest of any other ethnic group, at 10% having a substance use disorder (SUD). This is especially true for Native American youth, with 4 in 10 reporting significant illicit drug use, and “Lifetime rates of American Indian students for all substance measures except tranquilizers and amphetamines for each grade were higher than those reported in Monitoring the Future surveys (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, SAMHSA, 2018).
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The prevalence of substance use among Native Americans is an issue that needs our attention because they were the first people in the home we call the U.S. We owe it to them to be aware of the issues they face as they have become an overlooked minority in this country. Future generations of Native Americans may face additional challenges, not just because of historical injustices and lack of social programs, but because of who they are surrounded by, they also face social issues.
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Op-Ed: Methamphetamine Awareness Day
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National Methamphetamine Awareness Day annually occurs on November 30 to educate about the effects and danger of meth use. Meth is a stimulant like coffee which makes your central nervous system work faster. Meth gives the user a heightened sense of euphoria which people get severely addicted to. However, meth can cause serious health problems such heart conditions, abnormal blood pressure, high anxiety and even psychosis (Samhsa.gov).
According to SAMHSA, more than a million Americans were addicted to methamphetamine in 2023. In that same year, 36,000 Americans died from psychostimulant overdose and most of those overdoses were due to methamphetamine. Furthermore, addiction can take control of a meth user’s life despite the health risks it poses. People can engage in risky behaviors just to obtain meth because the withdrawal symptoms they experience while they are not using can resemble severe illness (Samhsa.gov).
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There are many ways that we can contribute to generate awareness for meth addiction and to support your community. We can share posts that address meth addiction, share treatment options while avoiding stigmatizing language, and educate those around us on how meth affects our communities.
We can also encourage those who need help to seek it out. Treatment is available from SAMHSA through their helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). People who are addicted may not feel that they are ready for support, or that treatment will not work for them but it is important to be consistent. We can be advocates for those who are struggling and make sure that when they are ready, we are there to get them the help they need. So, let's continue to educate ourselves and the general public about awareness strategies that can help reduce the numbers in meth use for this generation and the next.
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This material was made possible by funds from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC). The messages, views, or opinions made by any of the publications, speakers, or staff do not reflect the official policy or position of any LA County Agency, including SAPC.
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