Project Grant NH28CE004117

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $125,000 to Martin Housing Authority on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (CFDA 93.276) to support the Weakley County Prevention Coalition's efforts to prevent and reduce youth substance use in rural Weakley County, Tennessee.

The coalition addresses documented public health challenges in the county, including chronic school absenteeism, elevated rates of youth mental health distress (more than 35% of students reporting frequent anxiety or emotional distress symptoms, and 18.6% reporting serious consideration of suicide), and early substance initiation. Local data shows nicotine vaping at 19.5% prevalence among students in grades 8, 10, and 12, alcohol use at 13.4%, with average first use ages of 13.7 and 13.3 respectively. Students report obtaining substances primarily through peers, siblings, and parents, with 24.3% reporting parental provision of alcohol with permission. Environmental risk factors include off-campus social activity associated with the University of Tennessee at Martin and widespread vaping in school bathrooms.

The award supports a five-year period of performance from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Martin Housing Authority, a local government housing authority based in Martin, Tennessee, serves as the recipient and fiscal agent for the coalition, which must demonstrate at least six months of prior collaboration on substance abuse reduction initiatives and maintain a cash or in-kind match of 100 to 150 percent of the federal award.