Straight talk about tough stuff (STATS) coalition - a youth coalition preventing substance abuse in west michigan

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Reeths Puffer Schools $125,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (CFDA 93.276) to support the Straight Talk About Tough Stuff (STATS) Coalition's youth substance use prevention efforts in West Michigan.

STATS will prevent and reduce substance use among middle and high school students ages 12–18 in the Reeths-Puffer School District, serving approximately 3,450 students across Muskegon, Dalton, and Laketon townships in Muskegon County. The coalition addresses two priority substances—nicotine (with focus on vaping) and marijuana—using data-driven, evidence-based strategies across all 12 required community sectors. The intervention model is youth-led and adult-supported; 50–60 youth leaders annually participate in peer education, outreach teams, and a youth executive board to directly shape and implement prevention activities. Local data identified key risk factors including low perceived harm of vaping and marijuana, misperceived peer norms about substance use, easy social access, and inconsistent parental disapproval. Among high school students in the district, 12 percent report past-30-day marijuana use and 7.4 percent report vaping nicotine, while only half perceive regular use as risky. The coalition leverages over 25 years of youth leadership development and partnerships with schools, law enforcement, healthcare, public health, business, and civic organizations to build sustainable prevention infrastructure.

Performance period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, with work performed in Muskegon, Michigan.

Abstract

The reeths-puffer stats coalition proposes to prevent and reduce youth substance use among middle and high school students (ages 12-18) in the reeths-puffer school district, located in muskegon county, michigan. This community includes muskegon, dalton, and laketon townships, serving a diverse population of approximately 3,450 students across grades K-12. Guided by a youth-led, adult-supported model, the stats coalition will address two priority substances-nicotine (with a focus on VAPING) and marijuana-using data-driven, evidence-based strategies that engage all 12 required community sectors. Founded in 1997 and transitioned into a formal coalition in 2018, stats leverages over 25 years of youth leadership development and community engagement. Each year, 50-60 youth leaders participate in peer education, outreach teams, and a youth executive board, ensuring that young people directly shape and implement prevention strategies. Our strong partnerships with schools, law enforcement, healthcare, public health, business, and civic organizations create a sustainable infrastructure for comprehensive prevention efforts. Local data from the michigan profile for healthy youth (MIPHY), muskegon county youth VAPING survey, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews identified key risk factors fueling youth substance use: low perception of harm of VAPING and marijuana, misperceived peer norms about substance use prevalence, easy social access to substances, and inconsistent parental disapproval of VAPING and marijuana. Among high school students, 12% report past-30-day marijuana use and 7.4% report VAPING nicotine, while only half of students perceive regular use of these substances as risky. To address these issues, the coalition will implement a comprehensive array of strategies aligned with the DFC logic model and the strategic prevention framework. Strategies include peer-led social norms campaigns, parent education initiatives, school and community policy advocacy, restorative practices, youth leadership development, and improved access to supportive services. The coalition will also engage all sectors to ensure coordinated action. The coalition will fully participate in the DFC national cross-site evaluation, collecting and reporting data on the four core measures-past-30-day use, perception of risk, parental disapproval, and peer disapproval-for alcohol, tobacco (VAPING), marijuana, and prescription drug misuse, using the MIPHY youth survey every two years. By the end of the five-year project period, anticipated outcomes include: increased youth perception of risk and disapproval of marijuana and nicotine VAPING; improved parent-youth communication about substance use; reduced perceived peer use through normative education; increased availability of supportive services and alternatives to suspension; and sustained coalition capacity and engagement. Long-term goals include a 40% reduction in past-30-day marijuana use and a 30% reduction in nicotine VAPING among 9TH and 11TH grade students. Evaluation findings will guide continuous quality improvement and will be shared regularly with coalition members, stakeholders, and the broader community to sustain momentum, transparency, and long-term impact.