Martin county drug free youth, YRS 6-10_2026 - proposed start date: july 1, 2026 proposed end date: june 30, 2031 project location: martin county, florida community overview: martin county is…

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Martin County Board of County Commissioners $250,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants (CFDA 93.276).

The Martin County Community Action Coalition will deliver youth substance use prevention education and intervention across Martin County, Florida, through June 30, 2031. The coalition plans to inform and educate 25 percent of middle and high school aged youth on the dangers of underage drinking by the end of each program year throughout the project period, and achieve a 1 percent annual decrease in underage drinking with a target of 5 percent overall reduction over five years. The coalition will simultaneously address youth marijuana use reduction in Martin County through community partnerships.

Martin County serves a suburban population of more than 163,000 along the Treasure Coast, with 15.9 percent under age 18. The target population comprises youth affected by substance use and abuse and their families. The program operates under the statutory framework of the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, which establishes and strengthens collaboration among community coalitions, public and private non-profit agencies, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth 18 years of age and younger.

Martin county drug free youth, YRS 6-10_2026 - proposed start date: july 1, 2026 proposed end date: june 30, 2031 project location: martin county, florida community overview: martin county is located along the treasure coast of florida, with a population of more than 163,000. The martin county community action coalition serves a suburban area with a diverse population of which 15.9% are under age 18. The county is made up of 76% white - non-hispanic or latino, 15.8% hispanic or latino, 5.6% black or african american and, 2.6% other. The male to female ratio is almost even, at 49.7% and 50.3% respectively. While the median household income is reported to be $80,701, approximately 13.1% of the population lives in poverty. Target population: the martin county community action coalition (mccac) targets its efforts on youth affected by substance use/abuse and their families. Mccac engages with community partners to provide support and assistance to this target population, striving to establish appropriate resources for a population that can often encounter great barriers when in need of help. Youth involvement is a key part of creating a community-wide approach to reducing youth substance use/abuse and increasing equitable access to services. Outcomes: the martin county community action coalition (mccac) plans to focus on youth alcohol use as the first substance use area of focus. Mccac hopes to use community partnerships to inform and educate 25% of middle and high school aged youth on the dangers of underage drinking by the end of each program year throughout the entire project period. In addition, the coalition will work to decrease underage drinking by 1% by the end of each program year throughout the entire project period; this objective aims to achieve a 5% overall reduction in underage drinking over the course of the project. As a second substance use area of focus, mccac will work with the community to reduce youth marijuana use in martin county. The coalition plans to use community partnerships to inform and educate 25% of middle and high school aged youth on the dangers of marijuana use by the end of each program year throughout the entire project period. Another objective for the group is seeing at least a 1% decrease in youth marijuana use by the end of each program year throughout the entire project period; this objective aims to achieve a 5% overall reduction in youth marijuana use over the course of the project.