RAW DATANewcastle Community Conversation - RAW DATA 4/28/15Group #QuestionComments11dedicated city staff11involved community members11great family place11people like each other11interested in who you are11parents take pride in community11parks - stated by 3 attendees11clean11being able to walk11feel safe11family-oriented11involved community members11value healthy lifestyle11very friendly21sense of community21feeling of safety -- clean, beautiful neighborhoods21city and YMCA bring teens together21good schools -- continuity with all grades and teachers etc 21good trails and meeting people21Newcastle is "family" -- feeling welcomed21sense of family and community - we have a head start on this issue21being a small city you know people and business owners21Lots of great parks and maintaining the trails21Lots of volunteers and community support21Businesses are in one area21Serves two different school districts (want to unite the two together into one community)31safe community31small-town feel31great public schools31visibility; everyone knows what's going on since it's a small town31Beautiful environment31strong economy31lots of opportunities through large employers31location -- centrally located, location is everything31growing population31diverse population; different ethnicities31socio-economic diversity31small businesses that serve residents; longevity31family-oriented31golf club31interesting history31low crime31perceived well31Community events -- Newcastle Days, 4th of July, Community Activity Commission12Right after marijuana legalized I talked with a group of teens at Lakeborn Park; they're attitude was "it's legal, our parents do it; it's no big deal"12I was in contact with a foster child and had concerns about marijuana being used in the home.12My worry in this area, we're very residential and I think a lot of use goes on in private homes12Newcastle Days, you get a lot of outsiders and you notice it a lot more.12The City Council has decided NOT to do things based on what we've observed12I haven't really seen these things12I'm more concerned about youth disregarding property, such as climbing on the school roof, destruction around public places12Kids seems to have less pride and recognition of their place in the community.12Since marijuana has been legalized I've seen a change in attitude -- "It can't be all that bad if it's legal." But I don't know if it's validated use1255% of people In Newcastle voted in favor of legalizing marijuana but no one wants an outlet in this community. Behind closed doors people have a different attitude than their public attitude12"You can't solve a secret."12What's going on behind closed doors is worrisome.22At the bank -- corner of Newcastle Way and 129th -- people sleeping in front of the bank; panhandling22Heroin (started with Oxycotin abuse) can be seen south from the police office; we've had house burglaries we suspect are drug related22Homelessness and drug abuse can go together22At China Creek, people coming and going, finding used condoms on the ground22There are two drug houses on the outskirts of Newcastle -- May Valley/Renton22We find empty beer cans on the trails22Library -- good report32Early years, more observations; less so now32Speeding32Convenience of freeway for property crime32south-end of city; observed an SUV drive up aggressively and chase a car32No economic barriers32Number of concerned parents32Data says kids are using but can't pinpoint it32See more prescription drug abuse vs. meth/cocaine because of insured residents32Seeing heroin use among youth13Self-medication13Increase in anxiety and depression13Availability, especially of prescription drugs and marijuana13I grew up in New York City where you could drink at 18 and it was no big deal. I went to college in Pennsylvania where the drinking age as 21 and they were always getting drunk. You need to control the exposure.13How much was early exposure and how much was early communications? We need to talk to our kids. We have a culture here of not talking about taboo subjects.13Lack of communications and guidance from adults13Hearing from the kids [in my program] there's no conversation about it at all [in the home]. They ask me why adults need alcohol for "fun." 13Parents will supply alcohol and the kids' response is "why do I need that?"13What do dinners [at home] look like these days?13There's been a culture shift. How many of these kids address adults as "Mr." or "Mrs."? Parents want to be friends with their kids, so they offer them alcohol.13It's different today. There is a shift in how our kids behave and think. The biggest shift occurs between 8th grade and high school.13Parents are doing it. You can smell alcohol on parents at school functions. They are giving their own kids drinks. How do I have an honest conversation with people who I've known through elementary school and are now supplying kids with drinks?13There's also a conversation between kids. My son is seeing more and more of it as he gets older (now a 9th grader). He knows people who smoke marijuana to calm down.13Kids with ADHD are taking prescription drugs in elementary school. I wonder if they switch to marijuana in middle school to avoid the stigma of being on those drugs?13We're in a transitional stage as a society. There's so much access to information. We can either guide the discussion with kids or accept the consequences.13Where are we heading? We have moved away from alcohol and marijuana as being taboo. We're also not very mature about it. We expose without guiding.13In Europe kids see alcohol being used appropriately. Parents help kids avoid stupid mistakes.13It tends to be the case in more affluent areas; use occurs behind doors in houses. Adults use prescription drugs more frequently. You don't see it outside in parks and streets; it's happening inside.13It's the values and culture of this area -- being buddies with your kids and supplying them with alcohol and pot . . .13We need to remember that this is not a monolithic culture. We have so many different cultures. In some cultures it's okay to binge drink. In others, they are completely alcohol-free. Our kids are exposed to this entire range of attitudes and we need to help them understand it.23Underage drinking at houses without adult or parent supervision23We need to work together as parents to communicate and do the right thing23Reduce labeling of good or bad kids23Questions on HIPPA laws -- if someone has prescription drugs can we ask for their ID? Or is that information protected?33Parents working, more freedom for kids33Tie between drug use and social media33Accessibility -- open liquor cabinets; older siblings33Parent supervised parties33Mental health issues including self-medication, bullying, cyberbullying33Risk33Boredom33Lack of transportation to activities14Bellevue College Counseling -- seeing an increase in drug, alcohol, marijuana use. We're thinking about how to better serve those students.14Relatively complex issue. Substance abuse can be both a cause and a result.14We are asking ourselves what is the environment these kids grow up with?14We have BC students and Running Start students so we have a mix of teens and young adults14There are many family issues14We do not see a lot of public use on campus -- our public safety officers would escort them off campus14At Newcastle Elementary we don't directly address drug and alcohol issues. We do address social-emotional concerns. In the past five years we've seen a big increase in mental health issues around stress, anxiety, depression14Our school is encouraging kids to look at real life issues as critical thinkers. Our 5th graders are thinking deeply about their community, country, world. That practice will be helpful in the future.14As a mom, I'm looking at the pressure on my kids to fit in, to be popular. It's much more intense for girls than boys, but boys feel it too14How can parents get in and work with kids? Can we form an after-school group that supports parents and kids?14Social media is a big thing.14Students start carrying cellphones in third through fifth grade. It's just the way it is now14I'm concerned about the lack of confidence on the part of young girls14I think there's a cause and effect between social media and social thinking -- kids are very aware of how they're being perceived14Stress looks like ADD but it's really anxiety14Parents are more into [oral] communications and kids are more into visual communications. Need to tailor our messages to two different groups14For outdoor events, how do we use today's technology?14Kids will put down their screens for relationships. We have to create those times. The VOICE program is one of our best programs, because of the one-on-one time between adults and kids.14Our kids are over-scheduled. We have first graders with two and three activities per night. Kids need time to just hang out.14Pressure to be at the top of the heap. That's very much Newcastle.14Our kids are from high-achieving families and they are expected to be high-achieving.14Newcastle is similar to other affluent communities with regard to high expectations14In the past decade at Bellevue College we've seen kids coming in much more stressed out.14There are now twice as many people in the US as when I was a kid. Were a changing, dynamic country and that has its own stresses.14Kids are not being kids long enough14We need to start trusting our kids. When I grew up my mom let us out the door and trusted us to do the right thing. Kids have no opportunity to earn trust today, and that's a big component of growing up strong.24Block watch - it's open to all and has a focus on safety24Our community members call in when they see suspicious behavior; we have a lot fewer burglaries compared to surrounding cities because of it24I want to compliment the Issaquah School District for providing mental health counselors, and also for being on Twitter with breaking news24We are getting our children involved with the community24Currently, volunteering is only required of honor students; I'd like to see us get all students involved with volunteering34We have lots of ways for youth to get involved -- Y, library, youth advisory34We formed NYCE -- Newcastle Youth Community Engagement. It is student-formed, provides youth with a voice, and can put on occasional events34Library activities34Engagement of citizens15Courageous conversations15Two-way conversations - we need to listen to young people and what they're feeling and seeing15We need to provide healthy options, recreation and transportation so students can actually access the activities25Becoming more aware of vacant houses25Education around marijuana laws and edibles25Limiting access to alcohol by store doorways25Parents talking to parents25Parents learning what's happening at their schools - Healthy Youth Survey results25Consequences for students for their behaviors -- but help them learn from it25Education for parents around stress and what's causing these behaviors25Parents setting a good example themselves35Provide inner community transportation options35Talk about not wanting a marijuana shop in Newcastle

Key to Questions1. What aspects of the Newcastle community do you most value?2. What activities have you personally observed (no second-hand stories please!) that are worrisome? Where does this activity happen? When? How often? Who were the participants? How old were they?3. Do you have any comments or thoughts about root causes or priorities when addressing these issues? 4. What are you (personally) or your organization doing to address the challenges facing youth In Newcastle?5. Do you have suggestions for preventing worrisome activities? How can we get the community more engaged in facing and resolving our challenges?

Question 1Newcastle Community Conversation - Question 1 Responses - 4/28/2015Group #QuestionComments31Beautiful environment21being a small city you know people and business owners11being able to walk21Businesses are in one area21city and YMCA bring teens together11clean31Community events -- Newcastle Days, 4th of July, Community Activity Commission11dedicated city staff31diverse population; different ethnicities11family-oriented31family-oriented11feel safe21feeling of safety -- clean, beautiful neighborhoods31golf club21good schools -- continuity with all grades and teachers etc 21good trails and meeting people11great family place31great public schools31growing population11interested in who you are31interesting history11involved community members11involved community members31location -- centrally located, location is everything21Lots of great parks and maintaining the trails31lots of opportunities through large employers21Lots of volunteers and community support31low crime21Newcastle is "family" -- feeling welcomed11parents take pride in community11parks -- stated by three attendees11people like each other31perceived well31safe community21sense of community21sense of family and community - we have a head start on this issue21Serves two different school districts (want to unite the two together into one community)31small businesses that serve residents; longevity31small-town feel31socio-economic diversity31strong economy11value healthy lifestyle11very friendly31visibility; everyone knows what's going on since it's a small town

Key to QuestionsQuestion 1What aspects of the Newcastle community do you most value?

Question 2Newcastle Community Conversation - Question 2 - 4/28/2015Group #QuestionComments12"You can't solve a secret."1255% of people In Newcastle voted in favor of legalizing marijuana but no one wants an outlet in this community. Behind closed doors people have a different attitude than their public attitude22At China Creek, people coming and going, finding used condoms on the ground22At the bank -- corner of Newcastle Way and 129th -- people sleeping in front of the bank; panhandling32Convenience of freeway for property crime32Data says kids are using but can't pinpoint it32Early years, more observations; less so now22Heroin (started with Oxycotin abuse) can be seen south from the police office; we've had house burglaries we suspect are drug related22Homelessness and drug abuse can go together12I haven't really seen these things12I was in contact with a foster child and had concerns about marijuana being used in the home.12I'm more concerned about youth disregarding property, such as climbing on the school roof, destruction around public places12Kids seems to have less pride and recognition of their place in the community.22Library -- good report12My worry in this area, we're very residential and I think a lot of use goes on in private homes12Newcastle Days, you get a lot of outsiders and you notice it a lot more.32No economic barriers32Number of concerned parents12Right after marijuana legalized I talked with a group of teens at Lakeborn Park; they're attitude was "it's legal, our parents do it; it's no big deal"32See more prescription drug abuse vs. meth/cocaine because of insured residents32Seeing heroin use among youth12Since marijuana has been legalized I've seen a change in attitude -- "It can't be all that bad if it's legal." But I don't know if it's validated use32south-end of city; observed an SUV drive up aggressively and chase a car32Speeding12The City Council has decided NOT to do things based on what we've observed22There are two drug houses on the outskirts of Newcastle -- May Valley/Renton22We find empty beer cans on the trails12What's going on behind closed doors is worrisome.

Key to QuestionsQuestion TwoWhat activities have you personally observed (no second-hand stories please!) that are worrisome? Where does this activity happen? When? How often? Who were the participants? How old were they?

Question 3Newcastle Community Conversation - Question 3 - 4/28/15Group #QuestionComments33Accessibility -- open liquor cabinets; older siblings13Availability, especially of prescription drugs and marijuana33Boredom13Hearing from the kids [in my program] there's no conversation about it at all [in the home]. They ask me why adults need alcohol for "fun." 13How much was early exposure and how much was early communications? We need to talk to our kids. We have a culture here of not talking about taboo subjects.13I grew up in New York City where you could drink at 18 and it was no big deal. I went to college in Pennsylvania where the drinking age as 21 and they were always getting drunk. You need to control the exposure.13In Europe kids see alcohol being used appropriately. Parents help kids avoid stupid mistakes.13Increase in anxiety and depression13It tends to be the case in more affluent areas; use occurs behind doors in houses. Adults use prescription drugs more frequently. You don't see it outside in parks and streets; it's happening inside.13It's different today. There is a shift in how our kids behave and think. The biggest shift occurs between 8th grade and high school.13It's the values and culture of this area -- being buddies with your kids and supplying them with alcohol13Kids with ADHD are taking prescription drugs in elementary school. I wonder if they switch to marijuana in middle school to avoid the stigma of being on those drugs?13Lack of communications and guidance from adults33Lack of transportation to activities33Mental health issues including self-medication, bullying, cyberbullying33Parent supervised parties13Parents are doing it. You can smell alcohol on parents at school functions. They are giving their own kids drinks. How do I have an honest conversation with people who I've known through elementary school and are now supplying kids with drinks?13Parents will supply alcohol and the kids' response is "why do I need that?"33Parents working, more freedom for kids23Questions on HIPPA laws -- if someone has prescription drugs can we ask for their ID? Or is that information protected?23Reduce labeling of good or bad kids33Risk13Self-medication13There's also a conversation between kids. My son is seeing more and more of it as he gets older (now a 9th grader). He knows people who smoke marijuana to calm down.13There's been a culture shift. How many of these kids address adults as "Mr." or "Mrs."? Parents want to be friends with their kids, so they offer them alcohol or pot33Tie between drug use and social media23Underage drinking at houses without adult or parent supervision13We need to remember that this is not a monolithic culture. We have so many different cultures. In some cultures it's okay to binge drink. In others, they are completely alcohol-free. Our kids are exposed to this entire range of attitudes and we need to help them understand it.23We need to work together as parents to communicate and do the right thing13We're in a transitional stage as a society. There's so much access to information. We can either guide the discussion with kids or accept the consequences.13What do dinners [at home] look like these days?13Where are we heading? We have moved away from alcohol and marijuana as being taboo. We're also not very mature about it. We expose without guiding.

Key to QuestionsQuestion 3Do you have any comments or thoughts about root causes or priorities when addressing these issues?

Question 4Newcastle Community Conversation - Question 4 - 4/28/15Group #QuestionComments14As a mom, I'm looking at the pressure on my kids to fit in, to be popular. It's much more intense for girls than boys, but boys feel it too14At Newcastle Elementary we don't directly address drug and alcohol issues. We do address social-emotional concerns. In the past five years we've seen a big increase in mental health issues around stress, anxiety, depression14Bellevue College Counseling -- seeing an increase in drug, alcohol, marijuana use. We're thinking about how to better serve those students.24Block watch - it's open to all and has a focus on safety24Currently, volunteering is only required of honor students; I'd like to see us get all students involved with volunteering34Engagement of citizens14For outdoor events, how do we use today's technology?14How can parents get in and work with kids? Can we form an after-school group that supports parents and kids?14I think there's a cause and effect between social media and social thinking -- kids are very aware of how they're being perceived24I want to compliment the Issaquah School District for providing mental health counselors, and also for being on Twitter with breaking news14I'm concerned about the lack of confidence on the part of young girls14In the past decade at Bellevue College we've seen kids coming in much more stressed out.14Kids are not being kids long enough14Kids will put down their screens for relationships. We have to create those times. The VOICE program is one of our best programs, because of the one-on-one time between adults and kids.34Library activities14Newcastle is similar to other affluent communities with regard to high expectations24Our community members call in when they see suspicious behavior; we have a lot fewer burglaries compared to surrounding cities because of it14Our kids are from high-achieving families and they are expected to be high-achieving.14Our kids are over-scheduled. We have first graders with two and three activities per night. Kids need time to just hang out.14Our school is encouraging kids to look at real life issues as critical thinkers. Our 5th graders are thinking deeply about their community, country, world. That practice will be helpful in the future.14Parents are more into [oral] communications and kids are more into visual communications. Need to tailor our messages to two different groups14Pressure to be at the top of the heap. That's very much Newcastle.14Relatively complex issue. Substance abuse can be both a cause and a result.14Social media is a big thing.14Stress looks like ADD but it's really anxiety14Students start carrying cellphones in third through fifth grade. It's just the way it is now14There are many family issues14There are now twice as many people in the US as when I was a kid. Were a changing, dynamic country and that has its own stresses.14We are asking ourselves what is the environment these kids grow up with?24We are getting our children involved with the community14We do not see a lot of public use on campus -- our public safety officers would escort them off campus34We formed NYCE -- Newcastle Youth Community Engagement. It is student-formed, provides youth with a voice, and can put on occasional events14We have BC students and Running Start students so we have a mix of teens and young adults34We have lots of ways for youth to get involved -- Y, library, youth advisory14We need to start trusting our kids. When I grew up my mom let us out the door and trusted us to do the right thing. Kids have no opportunity to earn trust today, and that's a big component of growing up strong.

Key to QuestionsQuestion FourWhat are you (personally) or your organization doing to address the challenges facing youth In Newcastle?

Question 5Newcastle Community Conversation - Question 5 - 4/28/15Group #QuestionComments25Becoming more aware of vacant houses25Consequences for students for their behaviors -- but help them learn from it15Courageous conversations25Education around marijuana laws and edibles25Education for parents around stress and what's causing these behaviors15focus on issues35Go to parent education classes when they are young so you are prepared for the teen years15How about homeowners' associations? It depends on the neighborhood.25IDEA Club (Peer Place)35Kids know it's wrong but don't have anyone to go to25kids need connection to their parents25Limiting access to alcohol by store doorways15Night Out for Crime is a great event. Gets all the neighborhoods involved. Chief visits all of the events. Real sense of community.25Parents learning what's happening at their schools - Healthy Youth Survey results25Parents setting a good example themselves25Parents talking to parents35Provide inner community transportation options35Relationships between education and building25role modeling35Share hopes and dreams25Store Place - Drop Basket35Support systems at schools35Talk about not wanting a marijuana shop in Newcastle15Traffic -- can we figure out a way to get people home earlier?15Two-way conversations - we need to listen to young people and what they're feeling and seeing15Use everything we have35Walk-about program15We can solve crimes not addressed by Seattle. Police could send out neighborhood alerts and officers can visit neighborhoods more often15We need to provide healthy options, recreation and transportation so students can actually access the activities

Key to QuestionsQuestion FiveDo you have suggestions for preventing worrisome activities? How can we get the community more engaged in facing and resolving our challenges?