Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Healthy Jurupa Valley, coalition with a mission to create an engaged, healthy and drug free community, serves as a direct liaison between residents, community partners and local government officials to plan, implement and evaluate policies and strategies to reduce youth substance use. Over the past six years, the coalition has maintained strong partnerships with members from the fields of public health, education, law enforcement and youth services growing to over 150 active members in 2020. Through the expertise of its members and staff and with DFC funding from the CDC (previously SAMHSA), the coalition has directly influenced the passing of two citywide ordinances to reduce access to drugs, installed one prescription drug take back box and has provided thousands of residents with numerous informational sessions and other activities. As a result, we have noted an increase in youth's perception of risk and a reduction in parent approval toward youth substance use, and a 10% decrease in overall drug use from 2016 to 2018. Despite of these successes, great challenges remain. Our evaluation data reveals that 21% of students in Grades 7-12 still report using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs in the past 30 days, an 8% increase in marijuana use, and a 3% increase in opioid use. As a result, there is a clear need for the coalition to continue its work to reduce youth substance use. With future funding, we plan to implement an evidence-based drug prevention programs in area schools, establish city policies to reduce the risk of drugged driving and overdose related to alcohol and opioid use, and create programmatic and financial sustainability for the coalition.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
