Franklin County Youth Substance Misuse Prevention Initiative: Reducing Opioid, Methamphetamine, and Prescription Drug Misuse Through Community-Based Prevention Strategies - Stayin’ Alive Coalition proposes a comprehensive, youth‑centered Comprehensive and Addiction Recovery (CARA) grant project to prevent and reduce opioid, methamphetamine, and prescription drug misuse among youth in Batesville, Indiana, while also changing the culture and context regarding the acceptability of youth use and misuse of those substances (two goals of CARA). The population of focus for this grant are Batesville youth 10-18 years of age. By serving the Batesville population (but allowing it to trickle out to other Franklin County communities), Stayin’ Alive targets a community that is both appropriately sized and sufficiently concentrated to allow for effective implementation of evidence‑based and environmental strategies, consistent prevention messaging, and reliable outcome measurement. Franklin County is a predominantly rural area located near Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Dayton—proximity that increases youth exposure to urban substance availability, retail density, and cross‑border access, while rural infrastructure limits prevention capacity and services. Franklin County spans 384.4 square miles in the state’s southeastern region and is home to 22,286 residents. Franklin County’s median household income of $79,204 falls slightly above the state’s median of $71,959 with 6.9% of Franklin residents living below the poverty line. 9% of the Franklin population are veterans. Demographically, Franklin is characterized by a relatively young population, with a median age of 42 years. The county's racial composition is predominantly White (97.4%), with smaller percentages of Black (0.5%), Native American (0.3%), Asian (0.8%), and individuals identifying as two or more races (1.0%). Additionally, approximately 1.3% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Batesville (population 7,202) serves as a regional employment and educational hub for southeastern Indiana and draws students and families from across Franklin County. Stayin’ Alive’s project aligns with the two CARA goals mentioned above. Local Batesville data show the past-month youth use of heroin, methamphetamine, any prescription drug, and prescription pain relievers are worse than national rates and worse than state rates (of prescription drugs, heroin, methamphetamine). Additionally, these problems are getting worse over time: a sudden increase in 11th grade methamphetamine and heroin use, and 9th grade prescription drug misuse. Over the five‑year project period, Stayin’ Alive will implement coordinated family, school, and community strategies combining evidence‑based education with environmental approaches that reduce access and shift norms. Planned activities include evidence‑based curricula, peer‑to‑peer education through the Wildcat Youth Coalition, family and teacher/counselor education, medication disposal and safe storage options and promotion, media campaigns to raise awareness, policy and enforcement awareness, and expanded prosocial, substance‑free opportunities for youth. Environmental strategies will reinforce existing laws, reduce youth access, change physical design, and ensure consistent prevention messaging across settings. Progress will be measured through the CARA National Cross‑Site Evaluation, local youth survey data, and the coalition’s logic model. Expected outcomes include stronger cross‑sector collaboration, increased youth leadership, improved school and community climate, reduced access to substances, healthier norms around use, and measurable reductions in opioid, methamphetamine, and prescription drug use among youth—supporting long‑term health, safety, and resilience in rural southeastern Indiana.
