Empowering community to fight addiction - the purpose of this grant, ?empowering community to fight addiction,? Is to inform, educate and empower youth (ages 12-18) as well as their parents to the…

Empowering community to fight addiction - the purpose of this grant, ?empowering community to fight addiction,? Is to inform, educate and empower youth (ages 12-18) as well as their parents to the dangers of misusing opioids, methamphetamines and prescription drugs. The hamtramck drug free community coalition has been actively involved in youth substance abuse prevention since its inception in 2007 and will involve all the coalition?s community partners in this effort.hdfcc will address and reduce public health problems associated with youth use of opioids, prescription drugs, and methamphetamine by using the seven strategies for community level change. Hdfcc will raise awareness of opioid, methamphetamine, and prescription drug abuse among youth through guest speakers for youth (a part of the JR. Drug free coalition), implementing an informational program in high school health classes and educating parents to provide support in enhancing barriers for youth abuse of substances. Hdfcc will provide the community with medication lock bags and involve local prescription prescribers in prevention efforts and education of community members. Hdfcc will engage middle school students through the junior coalition to address the issue of drug addiction by partnering with the DEA and a drug recovery program to educate them on the dangers of drug misuse. Discussions with peers and student generated activities will reinforce the message. In addition, all 9TH grade students will experience this same information through their health classes. Outcomes: increase the awareness of the dangers of drug addiction to youth (ages 12-18), their parents and the community to empower youth in building a drug-free community with healthy-living activities, as well as informing and educating parents to be proactive in the fight against youth drug addiction. Through these activities, hdfcc will work to reduce the misuse of opioids, methamphetamines, and prescription drugs among youth (ages 12-18), make certain that the dangers of misuse of drugs in the community is clearly perceived, and engage the community and the coalition?s partners in these efforts.