Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program- Non-competing Continuation - The Steuben Prevention Coalition, a program under Catholic Charities of Steuben, is applying for the Drug- Free Communities Non-Competing Continuation Grant, to begin the second year DFC funding cycle and to enter its seventh year of operating as a Drug Free Communities-funded community coalition. The Steuben Prevention Coalition serves to coordinate activities designed to address youth substance abuse in Steuben County, NY – specifically, the use and abuse of alcohol and marijuana. Steuben is a rural county in the western portion of the state, along the Pennsylvania border. Although the county is larger than the state of Rhode Island, the population is approximately 96,900 people, and just under a quarter are under age 18. The coalition’s mission statement is to “promote healthy and safe communities in Steuben County by reducing alcohol and drug use among teens and young adults.” This has involved organizing and mobilizing a team of individuals from across ages, across Steuben’s many communities, and across business sectors, to include government, law enforcement, media, schools, parents – and children and teenagers as well. Annually, the Coalition mobilizes volunteers, our recent annual mobilization included 264 volunteer hours and in-kind services, resulting in match totaling $176,080. The Steuben Prevention Coalition has previously achieved successes including advocating to implement the Social Host Law; implementing prescription drug drop boxes in communities; connecting school, community, and social services staff with DITEP trainings; implementing TIPS trainings for alcohol servers; and organizing youth to present information to the County Legislature and at Health & Wellness Fairs; to lead Sticker Shock campaigns, for stores that serve alcohol, involve youth in installing Drug Free Zone Signs in identified parks/playgrounds; as well as to have youth create their own Public Service Announcements, which have appeared on radio, TV and in movie theaters. The objectives of the new work to be done with this grant include building additional Coalition membership, including more efforts to recruit, train, engage and use the skills of youth leaders. Grant resources will help us continue the annual Youth Action Forums and develop a new Faith Based Youth Retreat, sponsored by the Coalition to bring together a different segment of youth from the county. The Coalition will continue Tips trainings, DITEP trainings, and other efforts to change attitudes and behaviors that contribute to use and abuse of alcohol and marijuana by youth ultimately leading to reductions in use and abuse. The grant will provide $125,000 to help organize and perform these activities to continue to address youth substance abuse.
