DFC grant application for a new application for new austin drug-free youth coalition targeting impaired driving and youth access to alcohol and marijuana in austin, texas. - though there has been an…

DFC grant application for a new application for new austin drug-free youth coalition targeting impaired driving and youth access to alcohol and marijuana in austin, texas. - though there has been an overall decline in youth substance use, underage drinking and youth marijuana use continue to be problems in the austin community. In central texas, where austin is located, the 2022 texas school survey reports that 45% of middle and high school students say they have used alcohol at some point in their lives, and the average age young people first start using alcohol is 13 years old. 19% of middle and high school students say they've used marijuana at some point in their lives, and the average age young people start using marijuana is 14. Unfortunately, many students think IT's not very or not at all dangerous for kids their age to use alcohol or marijuana (17% and 21%, respectively). Additionally, the consequences of youth substance use are evident in things like impaired driving rates among young people and poor academic performance. In our community, many factors contribute to youth alcohol and marijuana use. Easy access to both alcohol and marijuana products is a concern, and current policies and practices have made IT even easier for kids to access these substances. The austin drug-free youth coalition has found that there is a lack of awareness among community members and decision-makers about the problems associated with alcohol and marijuana access and availability in the city. These issues are important to address, as the areas in which children live, grow, and play have an impact on their health and behavior, including their alcohol and other drug use. As such, the coalition aims to increase awareness of youth alcohol and marijuana use issues in austin, build capacity to respond to these issues, and work with decision makers to implement effective policies that prevent and reduce substance use among austin youth. To accomplish this, the coalition will 1) assess the community to identify specific risk factors that contribute to underage drinking and youth marijuana use, 2) educate community stakeholders on youth substance use issues and provide training on evidence-based strategies to address them, 3) create and disseminate a variety of educational resources, and 4) educate community leaders and build the city's capacity to prevent youth substance by making informed policy decisions that follow protocols limiting alcohol and marijuana access among youth. As a result of this work, the coalition expects to: improve knowledge of youth substance use issues in austin. Increase awareness of the austin drug-free youth coalition and its work to address underage drinking and youth marijuana use in the community. Establish and strengthen the community's capacity to address underage drinking and youth marijuana use. Reduce youth alcohol and marijuana use, and over time, adult alcohol and marijuana use, through implementation of evidence-based environmental prevention strategies. Increase perception of risk of alcohol and marijuana use.