Project Grant NH28CE003306

WESTCARE AND THE PROMISE ZONE COALITION WORKING TOGETHER TO PREVENT OPIOID, METHAMPHETAMINE USE, AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE/MISUSE AMONG YOUTH AGES 12-18 IN THE EAST SIDE PROMISE ZONE. - WESTCARE FOUNDATION, INC. WILL SERVE AS THE LEAD APPLICANT FOR THE PROMISE ZONE COALITION (PZC) WHICH BEGAN IN 2016 TO ADDRESS THE HIGH RATES OF CRIME PRIMARILY CAUSED BY DRUG TRAFFICKING AND RIVAL GANGS FIGHTING OVER ?TERRITORY?. THE MISSION OF THE PZC IS TO DEVELOP HEALTHY, SAFE, AND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE PROMISE ZONE THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE AND EVIDENCE-BASED SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CRIME, AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND CAPACITY-BUILDING STRATEGIES THAT PROMOTE RESILIENCY, EQUITY, EMPOWERED AND ENGAGED RESIDENTS, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES. THE PZC GOALS ARE TO 1) ESTABLISH AND STRENGTHEN COLLABORATIONS WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS TO PREVENT AND REDUCE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG YOUTH AGES 12-18 IN ZIP CODE 78202 BY 10% EACH FOR EVERY YEAR OF THIS PROJECT AND 2) ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ITS RELATED HARM WHILE PROMOTING STRATEGIES, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES THAT MINIMIZE THE RISK OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE. DEMOGRAPHICS INCLUDE BLACK 45%, HISPANIC 47%, WHITE 5%, ASIAN 3%. THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PZ ARE ENCASED BY THREE MAIN INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS THAT SERVE AS TRANSSHIPMENT POINTS FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS INTO THE COUNTRY. IT IS 48.3% MALE AND 51.7% FEMALE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS APPLICATION IS TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM MULTIPLE SECTORS TO PREVENT OPIOID, METHAMPHETAMINE USE, AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE/MISUSE AMONG YOUTH AGES 12-18. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS THAT THERE WILL BE A 25% REDUCTION IN OPIOID, METHAMPHETAMINE, AND/OR PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE/MISUSE AMONG YOUTH OF YOUTH AGES 12- 18 IN THREE GRADE LEVELS BETWEEN THE 6TH AND 12TH GRADES IN THE PROMISE ZONE AS MEASURED BY A REDUCTION IN PAST 30?DAY USE OF ALL DRUGS IN 3 GRADES OF STUDENTS BETWEEN 12-18 BASED ON A SURVEY (TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY) BY SEPTEMBER 2026.