Newport county cara grant - opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in rhode island (RI dept of health, 2020) the percentage of RI youth in grades 9-12 reporting ever using heroin…

Newport county cara grant - opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in rhode island (RI dept of health, 2020) the percentage of RI youth in grades 9-12 reporting ever using heroin is higher than the national average (2.4% VS. 1.8%: youth risk behavior survey 2019). Strategic prevention partnerships, (SPP) is a current DFC recipient for newport county prevention coalition (ncpc), which addresses underage drinking and marijuana use in newport county, RI (population 82,888) newport, RI is the most heavily populated in newport county and the most diverse, with a growing number of spanish speaking residents. While IT has the look of wealth and privilege of a tourist get-away, newport also has the highest poverty rate in the county at 14.6%. Newport?s wealth disparity contributes to challenges attracting and sustaining behavioral health services to meet the needs of its economically diverse population. Newport?s north end region is the most diverse and worthy of consideration for this proposal to address opiate use and prescription (RX) drug misuse and the factors impacting use. Ncpc seeks to prevent opioid, methamphetamine, and/or RX drug use among youth ages 12-18 in newport?s north end while changing the culture and context regarding the acceptability of youth use and misuse of these substances. Using the SPF framework and the seven strategies for community change, ncpc will address the factors driving the use of RX pain medication and illicit opiates. Ncpc will target strategies to the populations most affected by these issues, particularly those for whom racial disparities are a factor.long term outcome one: reduce opioid, methamphetamine, and/or RX drug use/misuse among youth within newport?s north end by implementing evidence-based programs to address behaviors and perceptions that may lead to of use. Ncpc will decrease youth access to opioid, methamphetamine, and/or prescription drugs by decreasing diversion and medication sharing and by addressing factors that increase the risk of youth use. Long term outcome two: change the culture and context regarding acceptability of youth opioid, methamphetamine, and/or RX drug misuse by increasing capacity to address the diverse factors contributing to opiate use using SPF framework and strategies for community change. Ncpc has experience engaging all community sectors. Increased capacity of local organizations and youth serving individuals (such as coaches, dentists, faith leaders) as well as increased intergovernmental collaboration can support the community in finding solutions to local issues. Ncpc believes the solutions to community problems LIE within the community, support and leadership bring those solutions into action. This proposal addresses two sub-populations: youth from spanish-speaking homes and lgbtq youth. Recognizing that lgbtq youth are at a statistically higher risk for substance use, self-harm, and suicide, ncpc has made this sub-population a priority for inclusion of further assessment, planning, and implementation. Capacity building will assist the coalition to best meet the specific needs of our lgbtq youth. Strategies have been selected to impact individual and community risk and protective factors. Ncpc staff have years of experience using the SPF framework as a thoughtful public health approach to address substance use and have aligned this proposal with the SPF process. Cultural competence and sustainability are integrated in the SPF steps and underlay all strategies.