Hot Springs/Garland County Drug Free Communities Coalition - The Hot Springs Drug Free Communities Coalition (DFC) led by Community Services Office, Inc. (CSO), will implement a multi-level strategy to prevent youth substance use in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Targeting ZIP codes 71901, 71913, and 71909, the coalition aims to reduce alcohol and marijuana use among middle and high school students. Youth in Hot Springs face high rates of early substance use, low risk perception, and easy access to drugs. Mental health concerns, limited prevention infrastructure, and permissive community norms contribute to elevated risk. The initiative will respond using the Strategic Prevention Framework and Seven Strategies for Community-Level Change (SSCC). CSO will serve as the fiscal agent and provide strong administrative and evaluation infrastructure. The coalition will use a comprehensive 12-Month Action Plan focused on changing access, increasing awareness, building youth skills, and advocating for local policy changes. Key partners include schools, law enforcement, youth-serving organizations, healthcare providers, and local media. Youth engagement is central to the coalition’s approach, including a youth advisory committee that will co-lead campaigns and advise on strategy. Evaluation efforts will track both process and outcome measures using APNA and YRBS data. A continuous quality improvement (CQI) system will guide adaptation and focused implementation. By year five, the coalition will achieve reductions in 30-day alcohol and marijuana use, increase youth perception of harm, improve retail compliance, and support the passage of policies like social host ordinances. CSO’s capacity to track in-kind contributions and mobilize community support ensures sustainability and compliance with federal match requirements. Through policy advocacy, environmental strategies, and culturally responsive outreach, the Hot Springs DFC will strengthen protective factors and shift community norms, fostering a healthier, drug-free future for local youth.
