Stewart county alliance for substance abuse prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded the Stewart County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention $125,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants (CFDA 93.276).

The recipient is implementing a community-driven prevention effort targeting youth ages 10–18 across Stewart County, Tennessee, focused on reducing tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana use. The coalition operates through the Strategic Prevention Framework, convening schools, families, agencies, and community partners. Local data identified 12 percent past 30-day nicotine use via vaping devices, 14.6 percent alcohol use, and 11.1 percent marijuana use among Stewart County students. The coalition's approach addresses community-specific risk factors, including the county's history as part of the Black Patch tobacco region, associations between alcohol and outdoor recreation, and substance use normalization within military-connected households.

The award runs through June 30, 2031. Performance occurs in Stewart County, Tennessee. The DFC Support Program establishes and strengthens collaborations among public and private agencies and government entities to support community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth.

Abstract

Summary the stewart county prevention coalition, also known as the stewart county alliance for substance abuse prevention, is working to reduce youth tobacco, nicotine, alcohol and marijuana use across stewart county through a comprehensive, community-driven prevention effort. Our focus is on youth ages 10-18, and our work reflects the unique culture, geography, and social influences that shape life in our rural community. Local data show that nicotine and alcohol use continue to be concerns for our youth. The 2022-2023 TN together student survey found that 12% of stewart county students reported past 30-day nicotine use through vaping devices, with rates increasing as students get older. Alcohol use remains similarly common, with 14.6% of youth reporting past 30-day use and 30 marijuana use is 11.1%. Community conversations and juvenile court data show that young people often obtain these substances through friends, family members, or social gatherings, making social access and normalization ongoing challenges. Our county's history also plays a role in shaping current attitudes. Stewart county sits within the historic black patch tobacco region, where tobacco use was once part of everyday life, and those cultural influences still linger. Alcohol use is also commonly associated with outdoor recreation and social events throughout the community. In addition, stewart county has a strong military and veteran presence, and community feedback suggests that tobacco, nicotine, and alcohol are sometimes viewed as acceptable coping or bonding behaviors in some military-connected households. All of these factors influence how young people and families view substance use and access. The coalition addresses these challenges using the strategic prevention framework, bringing schools, families, agencies, and community partners together to strengthen prevention efforts. Our work includes community education campaigns, programs that help parents and youth communicate about substance use, partnerships with schools and juvenile court to support early intervention, and efforts to reduce social access to substances. We intentionally address tobacco and nicotine products together so we do not unintentionally normalize one product over another while remaining responsive to new and emerging trends. Through this work, we aim to increase youth and parent awareness of substance use risks, strengthen family communication, reduce youth access to alcohol and nicotine products, and build stronger community partnerships. Ultimately, our goal is to support healthier norms and create stronger outcomes for youth and families across stewart county through prevention efforts that are locally driven and community supported.