Cheektowaga healthy youth coalition: a drug-free community - the cheektowaga healthy youth coalition seeks a drug-free communities grant to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth in the…

Cheektowaga healthy youth coalition: a drug-free community - the cheektowaga healthy youth coalition seeks a drug-free communities grant to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth in the community by implementing information campaigns, structured activities, and community outreach. The cheektowaga health youth coalition has been meeting since march 19, 2019, to address substance use among youth in their community. The coalition's first major task was to implement and later analyze the results of the community-level youth development evaluation (CLYDE) survey data to understand and assess youth mental health and substance abuse issues in the town of cheektowaga. Using the information and data that was collected and analyzed from the 2021 CLYDE survey, we were able to identify alcohol and marijuana as our two target substances. The coalition chose alcohol as a target substance based on prevalence data available from nearby coalitions, primary quantitative data collected through the CLYDE survey, primary qualitative data collected through coalition meetings, and archival data from community partners. The coalition is dedicated to the vision of a drug-free community for our youth, where they are supported, valued, healthy, and safe. The prevention council of erie county, a 501 (C)3 organization, whose mission is to promote healthy behaviors through substance abuse prevention and intervention, is the applicant on behalf of the coalition. Through a formal memorandum of understanding signed by the executive director of the prevention council, and the town of cheektowaga supervisor, the prevention council of erie county agreed to take on the AOR role. The town will serve as a partner in the coalition and will furnish many of the matching funds required, but will not serve as the AOR. The coalition intends to impact the town of cheektowaga by collaborating with the schools to engage youth by establishing an active presence in all four school districts, working with law enforcement to help in deterring adolescent use of marijuana and alcohol, and with community members by educating them on the dangers and consequences of substance use and addiction.