Arizona Youth Survey (AYS)
SAC staff is wrapping up the 2012 administration of Arizona Youth Survey. For the 2012 survey
several new questions were added including questions that measure youth use of synthetic (e.g.,
bath salts, K2/Spice) and club drugs (Special K, Rohypnol), cyber-bullying victimization, youth
social support, and military status (if any) of respondents’ parents. Additionally, we revised
our measures of youth marijuana use to better understand the impact of the Medical Marijuana
Act on youth marijuana use. For the 2012 AYS, more than 300 schools, representing approximately
85,000 potential youth respondents participated. It is anticipated that schools will begin
receiving their data late this summer, with county and state reports to follow shortly thereafter.
Arizona Crime Victimization Survey
In September, 2011 SAC staff was notified of a Bureau of Justice Statistics grant award for $92,463
to conduct a crime victimization survey for Arizona. The Arizona Crime Victimization
Survey is modeled after the National Crime Victimization Survey and will provide estimates of
criminal victimization for the state and the two largest counties in Arizona. SAC staff has developed
a sampling strategy and methodology for the survey and a draft survey is currently undergoing stakeholder review.
Prescription Drug Initiative
SAC staff is working with the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families and the Arizona Substance Abuse
Partnership on a Prescription Drug Reduction Initiative. The Rx Initiative implementation plan is based on input
from local experts from law enforcement, the prevention field, and the medical community. Using the strategies
proposed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as a starting point, the experts and attendees
formulated a set of data and research-driven strategies to be used in a multi-systemic, multi-agency approach
to reduce prescription drug misuse in Arizona. In order to maximize return-on-investment, the proposed strategies
will be conducted as a Feasibility Study, or pilot project, implemented in three counties. Over the course of
18 months, the strategies will be implemented in each of the counties in a stage-wise process. The start date
for the three counties will be staggered, with the goal of having each successive wave (i.e., county)
incorporate the lessons learned from the preceding projects. Both process and outcome evaluation measures will
be tracked as a way of monitoring success and for determining the feasibility of implementing the model on a statewide basis.
Annual Gang Report
Utilizing a threat assessment tool developed by the National Alliance of Gang Investigator’s
Associations, SAC staff is working on state and county reports assessing the prevalence and activity of gangs and gang
members in Arizona. The state report is currently undergoing internal review, with the county reports to follow. The
Arizona Gang Threat Assessment is based on surveys completed by local police agencies, county sheriffs’ offices, and
tribal law enforcement agencies.
Drug Data Clearinghouse: Community Data Project
SAC staff continues development of the Community Data Project. The Community Data Project enhances access to drug and crime
data for policymakers and practitioners through the use of a web-based data tool. Since the last report, SAC staff has improved
the user interface and uploaded additional data. The Community Data Project can be accessed at:
http://www.bach-harrison.com/arizonadataproject/Indicators.aspx.
State Justice Statistics Program FY2012
In early July 2012, the AZSAC was awarded $68,289 from the Bureau of Justice Statistics to support two projects, 1) an analysis of the
strengths and weaknesses of using surcharges, fines, and fees collected from convicted offenders to support criminal justice system
activities; and 2) the creation and dissemination of county-level criminal justice data profiles. An analysis of the DEA, CJEF, and
victim assistance funds used to support Arizona’s criminal justice system will allow ACJC to better understand how and why fund balances
vary over time.
In addition to an analysis of change in fund revenues and balances, this project will also investigate several potentially related
criminal justice system activities including, the number and rate of crime, the number and rate of convictions for drug offenses,
the ratio of fines to convictions, sentencing practices, and the economic conditions of our state and whether that has impacted
offenders’ ability to meet their financial obligations to the criminal justice system. These and other potential impacts on the
DEA, CJEF, and victim assistance funds will be investigated to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of Arizona’s use of
offenders’ surcharged, fines, and fees to fund Arizona’s criminal justice system.
The purpose of the county criminal justice profiles are to organize and present relevant criminal justice system data for local
policymakers and practitioners to support data driven policy and decision-making. County-level data that is comparable to the data
in the Crime Trends report will be collected and prepared for publication for all 15 counties.