Project YES (Youth Empowered for Success) Coalition. This group is located in Wahpeton, North Dakota and is a youth substance abuse prevention coalition addressing alcohol, tobacco (vaping) marijuana. - Wahpeton, North Dakota Community Overview Wahpeton is a growing community with a population of 7,899. It is the 10th largest community in the state of North Dakota and the County seat for Richland County. According to the Neighborhood Scout website, Wahpeton is neither predominately blue-collar nor white-collar, instead a mixed workforce of both blue and white-collar jobs. Greatest number of residents report their race to be white, followed by Native American. The predominant language in Wahpeton is English. Richland County’s largest age group break down is 50-59 years old at 16.5% followed by 10-19 years old at 14.4%, 20-29 years old at 14.3% and 0-9 years at 12.4%. The per capita income in Wahpeton is $25,362 which is lower middle income relative to North Dakota, but upper middle income compared to the United States average. Wahpeton has both very high and low income families. The poverty rate in Wahpeton is at 13.2%. The overall level of education in Wahpeton is above the US average with data showing 91.2% of adults 25 and older having a high school diploma or higher and 22.3% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. In the past seven years, the K-12 enrollment in Wahpeton has been unchanged at approximately 1,343 students. Wahpeton is a college town, so the census numbers increase during the school year. According to the 2016 Census data, there was 1,349 students who attended North Dakota State College of Science in person. With the high percentage of students living in Wahpeton attending college, the city has a number of services, amenities and opportunities geared toward the needs and activities of college students. Wahpeton is considered rural and located in the extreme southeast corner of North Dakota. Breckenridge, Minnesota, is the neighboring city and is less than a minute drive over the Red River which flows between the two cities and states. The South Dakota border is 34 miles south, and the city of Fargo, North Dakota is 56 miles north of Wahpeton. Wahpeton and Breckenridge are in essence one large community, but the fact that many differences in state and local laws and ordinances provide the community with many challenges. Alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use is a “norm” for the Wahpeton community. Youth expressed that marijuana is easier to get than alcohol. Parents are hosting parties for youth to prevent them from using substances elsewhere or driving under the influence. Marijuana, prescription drugs and over the counter drug abuse is continuing to rise in the Community. The Wahpeton Community, like many other North Dakota communities, does not understand the need and concept behind community coalitions to combat youth substance use. The data shows negative health consequences on our youth. Also being a college town, there is an added potential threat of underage drinking for college and high school students in the Community.
