Resolution 2008-3, Supports the NOPE Taskforce.

The Florida Police Chiefs Association endorses the work of the Narcotics Overdose Prevention Education Task Force in its efforts to eliminate the abuse of illegal and legal drugs, particularly amongst teens and young adults in Florida.

WHEREAS, the state of Florida ranks amongst the highest in per capita use of illegal drugs amongst teens and young adults in the United States, and;

WHEREAS, the abuse of illegal drugs by teens and young adults contributes significantly to the poor academic performance in Florida schools, and;

WHEREAS, the average age of first use of alcohol is 12 years (Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, 2006), and;

WHEREAS, in 2006 there were reported 7,741 drug related deaths in the state of Florida or an average of 22 deaths per day (2006 Florida Medical Examiners Report), and;

WHEREAS, half of all 12th graders have used illicit drugs, according to a survey (Monitoring the Future) sponsored and released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2006, and;

WHEREAS, prescription medication abuse by teens and young adults is a serious problem in the United States.  As reported in the Partnership for a Drug Free America's Annual Tracking Study:

WHEREAS, raising public awareness of the life-threatening hazards associated with prescription ddrug misuse and illicit drug abuse is critical in the overall effort to diminish the number of drug related deaths in Florida.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Florida Police Chiefs Association supports the work of the Narcotic Overdose Prevention Education (NOPE) Task Force. The NOPE Taskforce is a group of community leaders and concerned parents working to save lives through dramatic personal presentations about the deadly consequences of drug abuse combined with ongoing efforts to influence anti-drug legislation and the provision of vital information about where young people with a substance abuse problem and their famlilies can go for help.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of January, 2008 in St. Augustine, Florida at a duly constituted meeting of the Board of Directors of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.