Drug-free communities support program. Lawrence county coalition will collaborate with the communities/towns within the county in prevention efforts related to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. -…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Lawrence County Coalition $125,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (CFDA 93.276) to establish and strengthen community collaboration on substance use prevention among youth in Lawrence County, South Dakota.

Lawrence County Coalition, a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2019, will monitor youth substance use and prevent such use through community education, action, and change across Lawrence County's five communities: Lead, Deadwood, Central City, Whitewood, and Spearfish. The coalition will collaborate with communities and towns within the county on prevention efforts related to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

The award runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Lawrence County is a rural jurisdiction in western South Dakota with a population of approximately 28,809 and an annual influx of approximately 4,000 college students. The area faces substance abuse risk factors, including legalized gambling and sports betting in Lead, Deadwood, and Central City, where significant populations live at or below the poverty level.

Drug-free communities support program. Lawrence county coalition will collaborate with the communities/towns within the county in prevention efforts related to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. - lawrence county coalition (LCC) is a volunteer-driven 501(C)3 non-profit organization established in 2019 whose mission is, "mobilizing the community to promote positive, healthy, and substance-free youth." LCC was formed to enhance the efforts of preventing and reducing youth substance use in the county. LCC is seeking drug-free communities funding in order to monitor youth substance use and prevent such use through community education, action, and change. Lawrence county, south dakota is a rural county with a population of 28,809, and an influx of approximately 4,000 college students each year. Located in western south dakota, lawrence county occupies a total area of 800 square miles is made up of five small communities - lead, deadwood, central city, whitewood, and spearfish. Rich in history and natural beauty, lawrence county boasts a tourism economy, drawing in outdoor enthusiasts and general masses all year round. Lawrence county also serves as the northern gateway to the black hills, which is home to mount rushmore, crazy horse, custer state park, and much more. (US census bureau, 2024) the median age of those living in lawrence county is 43.8 years. 16.3% of residents are under the age of 18 and 83.7% are 18 years of age and older. Gender percentages are 49.4% female and 50.6% male. The racial make-up of lawrence county is 89.7% white, 2.3% native american, 4% hispanic or latino, 1.6% asian, 1% african american, 0.1% native hawaiian and other pacific islander, and 1.3% other. The median income in lawrence county is $34,400 and the poverty rate is 11.1%. (US census bureau, 2024) the towns of lead, deadwood and central city have a large population of people living at or below the poverty level. They are a high-risk community, with legalized gambling and sports betting, an emphasis on night life, and a high rate of alcohol use among adults. These communities are known to have higher usage rates of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco in youth. The town of spearfish has a large middle-class population. Much of the social culture in the community is centered around alcohol. With three prominent breweries in town and many restaurant-bars, you will find families with youth of all ages in alcohol normative settings. This extends into most community-wide "family-friendly" events, where open container policies are in abundance. Youth alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use remain a constant in this community. The town of whitewood is a mix of these two cultures, whose residents frequent other lawrence county towns for socialization, community events, and night life. Based on the most recent data collected from LCC's annual pride survey, lawrence county coalition has chosen to address alcohol and marijuana use in lawrence county youth (ages 12-17) with DFC funding. LCC plans to tackle the root causes surrounding these substances, low perceptions of harm and ease of access, using evidence-based strategies like providing information, building skills, providing support, increasing access and reducing barriers, changing consequences, changing physical design, and educating and informing on policy change. LCC will focus on the long-term outcomes of increasing community collaboration and reducing youth substance use. (page 1)