Stop act project to prevent underage drinking in spring valley, NY - the prevention education east ramapo coalition (peer) is located in rockland county, a suburb of new york city

Peer coalition will work across the 12 sectors, primarily collaborating with three partner organizations - spring valley police department, tender steps of new year, and sail away media - to prevent and reduce underage drinking. In its fourth year of DFC funding, peer's recent accomplishments built capacity, provided information, and enhanced skills. In september 2021, peer hosted a presentation by keith davis, a former college and professional football player. He spoke to east ramapo high school and middle school students on ways to prevent alcohol and drug use. The population of focus is 12-20 year olds served by the east ramapo central school district (ercsd), approximately 4,400 youth and young adults. The local hispanic student population comprises 75-80% of total student population, according to the district's latest enrollment data. Close to half of east ramapo's residents (40%) are foreign born and 89% are economically disadvantaged. Due to low perceptions of risk or harm from alcohol use, many of our local students participate in risky behaviors while intoxicated. One year ago, a 2003 sedan with 5 ercsd students split a utility pole in half before flipping on its side, injuring 4 and killing 1. The juvenile driver was charged with DWI and 2ND degree manslaughter in the death of a 16-year-old female. Stop act funding will increase the peer coalition's effectiveness addressing underage drinking to not only address community norms but also reduce opportunities for underage drinking, create changes in underage drinking enforcement efforts, address penalties for underage use, and ultimately reduce negative consequences associated with underage drinking, including motor vehicle crashes and fatalities. The coalition's 12-month action plan includes the eight required activities in addition to specific activities designed to support two program goals: strengthen infrastructure development around youth alcohol use and prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth and young adults ages 12-20 in spring valley, NY. The project director is an experienced community collaborator in the strategic prevention framework. She estimates this project will serve 2,500 people annually and 10,000 over the lifetime of the project.