Youth advocate urges city council to prioritize mental health

During a recent San Diego City Council meeting, community members voiced significant concerns regarding youth programs and public health issues, particularly focusing on the dangers of impaired driving and mental health challenges among high school students.

One speaker highlighted the importance of a youth driving program that educates teenagers and their parents about the risks associated with distracted and impaired driving, including the effects of marijuana. The speaker referenced a Wall Street Journal article discussing how marijuana can disrupt a person's ability to judge time and distance while driving, emphasizing the need for young people to understand these risks. The speaker also noted that combining alcohol and marijuana can lead to heightened impairment, urging the council to prioritize education on these issues.

Another community volunteer, Terri Anne Skelly, expressed her concerns about the mental health struggles faced by high school students as they prepare to return to school. She praised the Office of Youth Success for its recent work plan aimed at supporting youth but stressed the necessity for clear messaging against drug use. Skelly urged the council to refrain from funding businesses that promote alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana, advocating instead for code enforcement measures to prevent the sale of these products to minors.

Additionally, a caller raised concerns about the potential elimination of online public comment during council meetings, arguing that such a move would limit participation to a privileged few who can attend in person. The caller emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue, suggesting that online platforms allow for a broader range of opinions and voices in civic discussions.

The meeting underscored the council's ongoing commitment to addressing youth-related issues, with community members calling for proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of San Diego's young population.