The act drug-free community coalition works to reduce youth substance in dearborn heights and inkster in wayne country, michigan, through community collaboration and prevention education. - the…

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $125,000 to Lahc - Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants (CFDA 93.276). The award supports the A.C.T. Drug-Free Community Coalition, which works to reduce youth substance abuse in Dearborn Heights and Inkster, Michigan through community collaboration and prevention education. The coalition identifies community needs using census data, health assessments including the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth, and program evaluation data, with attention to social drivers of health including poverty and food insecurity in the target ZIP codes 48125 and 48141, centered in the Westwood Public School District in Wayne County. The organization was initially awarded a DFC grant in 2020 to expand and strengthen the coalition. The period of performance runs through June 30, 2031, with place of performance in Dearborn, Michigan. The Drug-Free Communities Support Program establishes and strengthens collaboration among community coalitions, public and private nonprofit agencies, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth 18 years of age and younger by addressing risk factors and promoting protective factors.

The act drug-free community coalition works to reduce youth substance in dearborn heights and inkster in wayne country, michigan, through community collaboration and prevention education. - the mission of the act drug-free community coalition is to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse through community partnerships. The coalition was formed in 2015 in response to growing concerns about the health and well-being of youth being served by lahc - leaders advancing and helping communities, a community-based nonprofit organization in dearborn, michigan with a continuum of youth and family development, health and social service programming. Lahc was awarded an initial DFC grant in 2020 to expand and strengthen the coalition to maximize its impact in ZIP codes 48125 in dearborn heights and 48141 in inkster, centered in the westwood public school district (WPSD) in wayne county, michigan. The coalition utilizes census data, community assessments, the michigan profile for healthy youth (MIPHY), local, regional and state health reports, and program evaluation data to identify and analyze community needs, determine strategies for services and support, and evaluate impact. Assessment incorporates social drivers of health, which are linked with substance use and misuse. This includes the challenging economic conditions for the target population, who experience poverty at greater rates than other families in the same community. The wayne metro community action agency highlights the significant multigenerational poverty of many families, which is significantly correlated with adverse health, educational, housing and employment conditions. For example, in the south end of dearborn heights, individuals and families experience higher poverty rates than in the north end, with some neighborhoods classified as economically disadvantaged. Food insecurity is a concern, with several food pantries serving the community. Education, healthcare access and quality, and community/environmental factors are also central to assessment. In 2018, michigan legalized adult-use marijuana. Differences in municipal zoning and regulatory decisions across neighboring communities led to the concentration of cannabis retail establishments in inkster, a smaller community with fewer land-use restrictions than surrounding municipalities. Over the past several decades, limited commercial development in inkster has made new businesses generally welcomed for their potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and support community engagement. However, the rapid growth of cannabis retail establishments has resulted in a high concentration of these outlets within the community. This shift has implications for youth prevention, as research links greater retail availability of substances with changes in community and social norms, including reduced perceptions of risk and lower levels of perceived parental and peer disapproval among students in westwood community school district. Quantitative data and input from identified sectors are only part of the picture. To better understand the community and the risk and protective factors at play in youth substance use, youth input and leadership is a central piece of the puzzle. This community embraces and elevates what youth have to say as a guiding principle, and youth become not only comfortable but confident in sharing their ideas and questioning adults when necessary. Based on the most recent data and analyses, the coalition will continue to address marijuana, tobacco and misuse of prescription drugs in the target communities with DFC competing continuation grant funds. The target population for the proposed project are children, youth and young adults ages 9-20 who disproportionally live in poverty and face a variety of challenges that increase the likelihood of substance use.