Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Alcohol is still the most prevalent drug used in Santa Cruz County with its youth binge drinking rates exceeding state averages. The Santa Cruz County Community Prevention Partners (CPP), with the lead of its Alcohol Initiative, proposes to tackle alcohol density in geographic areas of the county with high violent crime rates through best practice policies that address oversaturation of alcohol outlets. These geographic locations consist of a predominately Latino population with many living below the poverty line. The impact of the high prevalence of alcohol abuse on the community is enormous, including violence and gang activity. Santa Cruz County has continued to see a higher than state rate of binge drinking, in particular through retailer access. The CPP with the expertise of its Alcohol Initiative and Policy Taskforce will enhance its efforts in reducing binge drinking rates and reducing youth access to alcohol by addressing oversaturation of alcohol outlets in targeted geographic areas that contain high violent crime rates. The coalition will do this by: utilizing innovative technology to assess and demonstrate the relationship between alcohol outlet density and violent crime; building capacity and mobilizing community members and stakeholders to increase their understanding of the local condition and strive towards long-term policy change; researching, developing and enacting best practice policies in the effected jurisdictions. On an annual basis, 15 youth, 40 parents and 30 retailers will be engaged in the coalitions' efforts. Through the lifetime of the project, the over 33,000 youth in Santa Cruz County will be positively affected through reduced risk factors and increased protective factors. Further, the 202 alcohol outlets in the targeted areas will have increased support by law enforcement to address nuisance activities.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
