To reduce and prevent underage drinking through awareness, education and action

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $240,000 to Drug Free Dickson Coalition on September 30, 2025, under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.243) to reduce underage drinking among youth aged 12–20 in Dickson County, Tennessee.

The initiative implements evidence-based prevention strategies including school-based Botvin Lifeskills Training in middle and high schools, bilingual social media campaigns and prevention materials for youth and parents, community engagement events during high-risk periods such as prom and graduation, parent workshops, law enforcement collaboration to strengthen compliance checks on alcohol sales, and data collection through surveys and focus groups to monitor program effectiveness. The coalition aims to reduce underage drinking rates by 10 percent by 2029 and engage over 10,000 students, parents, and community stakeholders annually.

The project targets a rural population of approximately 57,000 in Dickson County characterized by economic challenges (46 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunches), limited broadband access (16 percent of households), and high alcohol accessibility. The coalition will deploy culturally tailored outreach strategies for Hispanic and Black youth.

Performance occurs in Dickson, Tennessee, with a period of performance from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2029.

Abstract

The drug free dickson coalition's initiative aims to reduce underage drinking among youth aged 12-20 in dickson county, tennessee, by 10% by 2029. This initiative will implement evidence-based prevention strategies, community engagement, and data-driven evaluation to address economic disparities, connectivity barriers, and alcohol accessibility impacting local youth. Annually, the program will engage over 10,000 students, parents, and community stakeholders in prevention efforts. Project name: drug free dickson coalition stop act initiative to prevent underage drinking. Population of focus: the primary population of focus is youth aged 12-20 residing in dickson county, a rural community of approximately 57,000 people. Key characteristics of this demographic include economic challenges (46% of students qualify for free or reduced lunches), limited broadband access (16% of households), and high alcohol accessibility due to rural social networks. The project will also address growing diversity in the county, particularly among hispanic and black youth, with culturally tailored outreach strategies. Strategies and interventions: 1. School-based programs: implement botvin lifeskills training in middle and high schools and host assemblies with guest speakers. 2. Media and outreach: launch bilingual social media campaigns and develop prevention materials for youth and parents. 3. Community engagement: partner with the drug-free dickson coalition to host events during high-risk times (e.g., prom and graduation) and organize parent workshops. 4. Law enforcement collaboration: strengthen compliance checks to reduce illegal alcohol sales by 10%. 5. Data collection and evaluation: conduct surveys and focus groups to monitor trends and program effectiveness. Project goals and measurable objectives: goal 1: reduce underage drinking rates by 10% by 2029 as reported on the TN together survey. O objective 1.1: reach 75% of middle and high school students annually through educational campaigns. Objective 1.2: conduct compliance checks to reduce illegal alcohol sales by 10%. Goal 2: build community capacity for long-term prevention. O objective 2.1: engage 20 youth annually in a peer-led advisory board. O objective 2.2: host four community town halls each year to educate parents, educators, and stakeholders, reaching underserved areas and at risk demographics. Number of people served: the project will serve over 3,000 youth annually through direct programming and engage more than 25,000 students, parents, and community members throughout its lifetime. Nity stakeholders in prevention efforts.