Www.borderinitiative.org SAN DIEGO-TIJUANA BORDER INITIATIVE Drug-Free Border Coalition Kaare S. Kjos Executive Director

www.borderinitiative.org

SAN DIEGO-TIJUANA SAN DIEGO-TIJUANA BORDER INITIATIVEBORDER INITIATIVE

Drug-Free Border CoalitionDrug-Free Border CoalitionKaare S. Kjos

Executive Director


Our MissionOur Mission

Binational nonprofit organization (501(C) (3)/A.C.) created in 1995

Promote closer collaboration among social and community service providers in the region with the specific intent of developing institution, programs, and public policy for issues of equal importance to both sides of the border


Service AreaService Area


DemographicsDemographics

Most populated region along the border with a combined population of nearly 5 million, mostly urban

High growth rate

FOR MORE INFO...

See http://www.sandag.cog.ca.us and http://www.inegi.gob.mx/inegi/default.asp


ImpactsImpacts

EconomicEnvironmentalSocial


Risk Factors/Common DrugsRisk Factors/Common Drugs

Easy access to drugs, migration, family disintegration, cultural clashes

Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy/Club Drugs, Cocaine, and Heroin


Back In 1998…Back In 1998…

Binational Surveys conducted to determine common priorities– Public Health, Youth, Substance Abuse,

Sustainable Development

Experts from Tijuana/San Diego invited to advise on how best to handle these issues


RecommendationsRecommendations

Binational Workshops and Conferences to better understand the issues

Sept. 1998, Jan. 2000, Nov. 2000, Dec. 2001, Dec. 2002, Dec. 2003, Nov. 2004


Conclusions ReachedConclusions Reached

The following conclusions were reached after the 3rd workshop in 2001– Share a common drug problem– It makes sense to address this problem

together, as partners, rather than separately

– Need to formalize /institutionalize our efforts


Binational Workgroup 2001Binational Workgroup 2001

Group met monthly alternatively in San Diego and Tijuana beginning in January

Post 9/11 meeting location changed

FOR MORE INFO...

See www.borderinitiative.org


Meetings At The International Meetings At The International Border FenceBorder Fence


Drug-Free Border CoalitionDrug-Free Border Coalition

Created in Spring 2001

Mission: To reduce substance abuse in the San Diego-Tijuana region by linking and supporting groups and individuals engaged in prevention on both sides of the border


Strategic Plan/Core StrategiesStrategic Plan/Core Strategies

Developed strategic plan with 6 core strategies and accompanying objectives

1. Identify and facilitate the sharing of information- Develop a bilingual information clearinghouse/resource center

- Eliminate duplication of resources and materials



2.Provide linkages and support for training and technical assistance

- Facilitate training and technical

assistance

- Develop a Binational Fellows

Program



3. Increase awareness of substance abuse and impacts- Organize or co-sponsor binational events

- Develop binational indicators of substance

abuse

- Facilitate mapping of risk and protective

(R&P) factors in Tijuana



4. Engage communities in substance abuse prevention

- Facilitate cross-border collaboration

5. Develop, focus and channel

resources to support binational

prevention efforts

- Identify funding sources for participating organizations



6. Strengthen the DFBC- Hold monthly meetings- Issue monthly information bulletins


““Shopping List”Shopping List”

1. Bilingual Manual of Substance Abuse Prevention Capacity Building

2. Cinco de Mayo Con Orgullo

(2 projects)

3. Border-health Research Collaborative (BRC)



4. Anecdotal Education for Mexican Migrants

5. Bilingual Newsletter 6. Binational Prevention Information

Clearinghouse (BPIC) 7. Safety Education and Training for

Hispanic Workers in the Agricultural Industry



8. Cross-Border Diabetes Education Project

9. Binational Fellows Program

Documents

Www.borderinitiative.org SAN DIEGO-TIJUANA BORDER INITIATIVE Drug-Free Border Coalition Kaare S. Kjos Executive Director