Community action coalition - the community action coalition serves youth ages 9-18 living in atlanta's 30312 and 30315 ZIP codes, including students attending carver high school, mays high school,…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Learn To Grow, Inc. $125,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants (CFDA 93.276) to reduce alcohol and opioid misuse among youth ages 9–18 in Atlanta's 30312 and 30315 zip codes, including students attending Carver High School, Mays High School, Price Middle School, and Howard Middle School.

The program addresses persistent local risk factors: nearly half of students in grades 6–12 report that alcohol is easy to obtain, with at least seven alcohol retailers operating in zip code 30315 alone, several within one mile of schools; approximately 10 percent of high school students report binge drinking of five or more drinks per occasion. Opioid misuse is intensified by contamination of non-opioid substances—cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills—with fentanyl, placing youth at significant risk of accidental overdose. The targeted neighborhoods face socioeconomic pressures, including unemployment rates of 16 percent, average annual incomes below $40,000, and poverty rates above national averages, contributing to increased unsupervised out-of-school time for youth.

The award period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Learn To Grow is a minority-owned nonprofit organization based in Atlanta specializing in positive youth development and community outreach focused on substance abuse prevention. Performance occurs in Georgia.

Community action coalition - the community action coalition serves youth ages 9-18 living in atlanta's 30312 and 30315 ZIP codes, including students attending carver high school, mays high school, price middle school, and howard middle school. These neighborhoods face persistent alcohol and opioid‑related risks that place young people at heightened vulnerability. According to the georgia student health survey, nearly half of students in grades 6-12 report that alcohol is easy to obtain. In ZIP code 30315 alone, at least seven alcohol retailers operate-excluding restaurants and bars-with several located within one mile of schools. This environment contributes to elevated rates of binge drinking, with approximately 10% of high school students reporting consumption of five or more drinks per occasion, increasing risks of violence, sexual assault, alcohol poisoning, and long‑term dependence. Opioid misuse presents an equally urgent threat. The ongoing opioid crisis is intensified by the contamination of non‑opioid substances-including cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills-with fentanyl. This trend places youth and adults at significant risk of accidental overdose, often without their awareness. The community's socioeconomic conditions further compound these risks. The area has a slightly higher proportion of female residents, including many single female heads of household. Housing ranges from modest single‑family homes to large subsidized developments. Most residents are considered working class, with average annual incomes below $40,000 and poverty rates above national averages. Limited job opportunities and one of the highest unemployment rates in atlanta and georgia (16%) contribute to economic instability and increased unsupervised out‑of‑school time for youth. The program's goals are to: reduce alcohol and opioid misuse among youth-and, over time, among adults-by addressing local risk factors and strengthening protective factors; and build and sustain collaboration among fulton county nonprofit organizations and federal, state, local, and tribal partners to support coordinated, community‑driven prevention efforts. To achieve these goals, the coalition will implement a five‑year community‑wide prevention action plan; conduct ongoing needs assessments and environmental scans; select and implement culturally responsive, evidence‑based strategies; maintain a comprehensive media campaign to increase awareness of youth alcohol and opioid misuse; and evaluate outcomes to strengthen program delivery and measure community impact.