Data Collection Efforts

Our Parent Survey, conducted every other year since the coalition began, gathers insights on parents' perceptions of youth substance use, knowledge of the Social Host Law and Prescription Drug Drop Box, and household rules regarding substance use. Results are compared with youth responses to assess awareness of youth behaviors in the community.

The Coalition Member Engagement Survey is conducted annually to evaluate member participation, satisfaction, and understanding of the coalition’s mission and action plan. It also identifies opportunities for growth and capacity building.

The Youth Voices Count Survey is for youth in grades 6–12, it is implemented online, focusing on youth friendly language, and allowing for youth to feel heard and know their “voices count.” We conduct this survey every other year to collect data on lifetime and recent substance use, beliefs about availability, access points, parental supervision, family norms, and support systems.

Key data collected includes substance use risk factors, mental health, gaming, gambling, social media, toxic stress and optional sections on bullying, involvement in extracurricular activities, connected and thriving youth and sexual behaviors. 

The coalition gathers data from local hospitals, the police department, and the school district to monitor substance use trends and assess community risks. Hospital data, such as emergency room visits, substance-exposed newborns, treatment referrals, and inpatient admissions, highlights high-risk behaviors. Police statistics, including arrests for minors in possession, alcohol sales to minors, ordinance violations, impaired driving, and substance use-related intoxication, are analyzed alongside school district reports on suspensions and expulsions due to substance use. This information is compared to prior years to identify trends and guide coalition efforts.

TAPP collaborates with the Torrington Youth Service Bureau to conduct environmental scans of local retailers that sell nicotine and vape products. These scans focus on observing advertisement placements, the presence of Tobacco 21 signage, and product displays to ensure compliance with Connecticut retailer regulations.

Our coalition gathers qualitative data through focus groups, key informant interviews, and community interactions to gain valuable insights, especially from youth. We use these methods to inform media campaigns, understand current trends, and guide other projects. Conversations with students, parents, teachers, and community members at events like open houses, parent/teacher nights, and sporting events provide additional context about substance use trends, behaviors, preferred substances, and access points, helping to shape our strategies and action plans.

Process tools include documenting meeting and workshop content, tracking attendance at events, monitoring member retention and the inclusion of new members, and administering feedback quizzes after workshops. These tools help coalition leadership assess progress on activities and initiatives. Additionally, feedback from coalition programs ensures the core elements of prevention programs are maintained with fidelity.