Through Drug Free Communities funding, Operation Drug Free Coalition proposes to spearhead efforts to mobilize our region to prevent Tobacco and Alcohol misuse among youth and provide appropriate support for those children struggling to overcome dependency. Specific expanded and enhanced activities will include:
1. Marketing Strategy- Community social media campaign addressing tobacco and alcohol; Utilizing radio and a live blog; Engaging special guests (well-known in the community); and Growing community partnerships to increase visibility.
2. Training/Workshop Development Courses- Identify curriculum/resource materials relating to prevention of youth tobacco and alcohol use; Define teachers/facilitator roles; and Establish partnerships for incentives.
3. Community-Wide Forums- Format to include radio, blogs, and rap sessions; Subjects include Parent Child Relations, Decision Making, Peer Pressure, etc.; and Training components for Young Adult, High School, and Middle School.
4. Analyze Program Impact- Create surveys/questionnaire; Identify statistical resources for data analysis; and Create newsletter, website, and other materials for sharing needs and accomplishments with the community.
East Point is a dense urban area of 39,595 with a primarily minority population (78.1% African American, 7.57% Hispanic, and 12.2% White). Within this population, 7.8% of the population is foreign born, and 13.4% speak a language other than English at home. Additionally, 12.5% of the population does not have a high school degree and only 42.5% own their own home. The per capita income is $19,542 with 28.0% of residents - living in poverty. College Park, Georgia is the home to 13,492 residents, also largely minority (81.81% African American, 6.86% Latino, and 5.34% White). Within this population, 5.4% of residents are foreign born, and 9.5% speak a language other than English at home. Similarly, 17.7% of the population does not have a high school degree and only 26.2% own their own home. The per capita income is $20,132 with 35.7% of residents are living in poverty. In these historically low-income communities, many young people are trapped in a cycle of poverty, a phenomenon where people become entrenched in poverty due to a number of different factors. Family experience, lack of education, limited access to employment and health care all contribute to this destructive cycle. Poverty begins in an earlier generation, but future generations are unable to break free. With regard to addiction, there is some evidence to suggest that those in the cycle of poverty who also suffer from substance abuse problems have a significantly more difficult time grappling with both issues. There is also a strong temptation for youth to try substances they can easily find in their homes, and often witness their parents and other adults using – particularly tobacco and alcohol. Therefore, it is vital that Operation Drug Free Coalition implement the proposed prevention, support, and education-focused coalition activities to build resiliency in youth. The project will also improve long-term outcomes for our high-risk students in order to address community-based factors that increase the risk of substance abuse.