Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Alliance (the Coalition) proposes to prevent drug-misuse by young people ages 9 to 20 in Randolph and Washington Counties Illinois, a community of approximately 47,000 people, primarily white, with a sizable African American Population of approximately 1,000 residing in Sparta. The two counties are essentially rural.
Survey results from the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) for Randolph County indicate a sizable portion of teens report using and tobacco at higher rates than their rural Illinois peers. Data shows, that 30-day alcohol consumption is 19% higher at 12th grade and past 30-day tobacco use is 21% at 12th grade. Additionally, in Randolph County teens report they perceive less risk in use of alcohol and tobacco; they also perceive less parental disapproval and less peer disapproval as compared to those at their grade level across rural Illinois. Qualitative data gathered in Randolph County reflects this information. Washington County has a low survey response rate and no quantitative data is available. However, qualitative data gathered through Coalition members is that teens in Washington County are using alcohol and tobacco at similarly high rates.
Goal One: Increase community collaboration. Objective 1: By end of year 1, form 10 new community partnerships and increase sector collaborations as indicated by coalition meeting minutes. Strategy 1: Recruit more members for priority community sectors in both counties. Objective 2: By end of year 1 increase sector representative’s prevention knowledge & skills as indicated by pre- and post-training evaluation. Strategy 1: Continue full coalition meeting in-services addressing priority prevention topics. Strategy 2: Increase coalition capacity to implement Strategic Prevention Framework. Objective 3: By end of year 1 clarify coalition member, sector leader and committee roles as indicated by revised job descriptions. Strategy 1: Revise Committee member job descriptions.
DFC Goal Two: Reduce youth substance abuse. Objective 1: Reduce 30 day use of alcohol by 3% by 2022 as measured by IYS. Strategy 1: Provide information. Strategy 2: Enhance skills. Strategy 3: Provide support. Strategy 4: Reduce access/Enhance barriers. Strategy 5: Change consequences. Strategy 6: Change physical design. Strategy 7: Modify/change policies. Objective 2: Reduce 30 day use of tobacco by 3% by 2022 measured by Illinois Youth Survey. Strategy 1: Provide information. Strategy 2: Enhance skills. Strategy 3: Provide support. Strategy 4: Reduce access/Enhance barriers. Strategy 5: Change consequences. Strategy 6: Change physical design. Strategy 7: Modify/change policies.