Be smart DON't start a focus on alcohol abstinence for johnson county youth ages 12-20 - project name: be smart, DON't start

A focus on alcohol abstinence for johnson county youth ages 12-20. Target population-approximately 5000 students/young adults in our community, many of whom live in relative caregiver situations. "this project will focus on providing education and training to the youth/parents of johnson county to raise the awareness of the dangers of underage alcohol use and drinking and driving." according to data USA statistical records johnson county is a community of 17,923 full time residents. The average household income is $30,180, a 26.9% poverty rate with 100% of our students receiving free lunch. We'RE an isolated community, approximately 1 hour from the nearest interstate and the nearest full service hospital. Approximately 15% of our residents are uninsured and many more underinsured. We have no treatment facilities for alcohol or SUD's within an hours drive. We have one AA meeting for the entire county which covers approximately 300 square miles. We have 1 school system with 5 elementary schools and one middle school and one high school. Approximately ¼ of our county population is under the age of 24. We have limited industry in our community and very limited employment resources. Johnson county school system and northeast correctional center are the largest employers within the county. Our youth have limited access to recreation such as movies, bowling, shopping and other activities as none of these are located within our county so the common practice is to have drinking parties in homes and isolated areas in our community. We recently passed legislation to go from the last remaining "dry" county in the upper east tennessee area to a "wet" county. Goal 1: decrease youth alcohol use in the community by 5% over the next 4 years by implementing evidence-based programs within the school district that address behaviors that may lead to the initiation of use. Goal 2: strengthen collaboration across community sectors to change social perception of risk of harm among parents and community. This will reach all 17,923 residents over the 4 year period. Objective 1: by the end of the school year 2023, we will have utilized the botvin lifeskills training with approximately 200 students ages 12-15 to decrease alcohol consumption by 5% and increase awareness of harm by 5% at all elementary schools and will have trained 3 school personnel with this system. This evidence-based training provides skills to increase general competence and reduce potential motivations to misuse/abuse substances. Objective 2: by may 2023, we will have integrated the reality tour and the use of our alcohol simulator pedal car and obstacle course into our community . This tour will reach 100 students/parents per year, 400-500 in 4 years. Objective 3: objective 3: by may 2023, we will have conducted sobriety checkpoints, and compliance checks on a bimonthly basis working with local law enforcement and compliance officers at hotspot locations throughout johnson county including HWY 67, HWY 421 and in town area, handing out approximately 150 flyers per event on underage alcohol consumption and impaired driving. We will work with local beer board to see that fines are enforced and establishments are rewarded for being in compliance on an annual basis by recognition in local media and also ensure those not in compliance are held accountable by paying fines as stated by beer board policy. We currently have 7 establishments in the county but this will increase exponentially in the next year.