Middletown prevention coalition, preventing underage drinking - middletown prevention coalition (MPC) serves middletown, located in newport county rhode island

Located on the picturesque aquidneck island, alongside the atlantic coast with martha's vineyard and cape COD nearby. Our community is made up of coastal suburban areas with a population of 17,075. The stop grant will impact all youth and young adults in middletown to prevent and reduce under age alcohol use. The specific population of focus for this grant will be youth ages 12-20 who are at high risk for alcohol use; specifically, the underserved population (at risk), lgbtq+ youth, youth who actively participate in athletics, multi language learners (MLL), and military-affiliated students and students 18-20 at the community college and local level. We further aim to destigmatize high-risk groups through cultural competency due to the unacceptance of marginalized groups within the region. These groups include but are not limited to the lgbtq+ community, those who are homeless/at-risk of homelessness, and individuals living in poverty.implementing prevention strategies based on the strategic prevention framework model in the community will reduce underaged drinking by 4%; implement changes to the local student health and wellness policy, to require athletic coaches and trainers to receive annual education on youth athlete alcohol prevention strategies; and will increase youth perception of the harm of underage drinking through programming and campaigns. Middletown prevention coalition , funded by the drug-free communities support program over the past ten years, has strengthened successful local prevention strategies.MPC's comprehensive approach includes community education on underage drinking consequences, increasing the perception of harm associated with underage drinking, supporting local law enforcement efforts, targeting socioeconomic impacted areas and at risk subpopulations (athletes, military affiliated students, multi language learners (MLL). MPC will achieve this by launching comprehensive media campaigns to raise awareness of underage drinking dangers, and fostering community partnerships to prioritize underage drinking prevention in the county. These strategies aim not only to reduce underage drinking but also to build stronger partnerships among local government and community organizations for sustained impact. With a focus on long-term sustainability, the plan involves engaging multiple community sectors to coordinate underage drinking prevention efforts and drive change across the county.