Clarion drug free coalition (see attachment) - the clarion drug free coalition (cdfc) is a community group striving to prevent youth substance use of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, marijuana, and/or…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc., $125,000 on July 1, 2026, through the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (CFDA 93.276) to support youth substance use prevention in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

The Clarion Drug Free Coalition, established in 2010 by the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission as the single county authority for Clarion County, targets prevention of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, marijuana, and prescription medication use among youth and young adults in northwestern Pennsylvania. The coalition's goals include reducing youth substance use; promoting healthy substance-free alternative activities; encouraging ongoing collaboration and resource connection within the county; expanding implementation of evidence-based prevention programs; and exploring sustainability strategies to expand prevention services across the county. The funding supports years 6–10 of the award cycle, continuing prior prevention efforts in response to substance abuse concerns identified in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey conducted in the county.

Clarion County has a population of 36,970 residents, with 20.1 percent under age 18 and 14.2 percent living below the poverty line. The rural county encompasses 600.8 square miles across 34 municipalities in northwestern Pennsylvania, positioned between Erie and Pittsburgh.

The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Performance occurs in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. The assistance type is a project grant.

Clarion drug free coalition (see attachment) - the clarion drug free coalition (cdfc) is a community group striving to prevent youth substance use of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, marijuana, and/or prescription medications in clarion county, located in northwestern pennsylvania. The armstrong-indiana-clarion drug and alcohol commission (aicdac), which is the single county authority for clarion county, established the coalition in 2010 in response to the opioid crisis that had been sweeping across western pennsylvania. According to data from the pennsylvania youth survey (pays) conducted in the county at this time, the major youth substance problems were alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. These frequently used substances, with the addition of prescription medications, continue to be a concern in clarion county. The cdfc is applying for the drug free communities grant, years 6-10, to continue prevention efforts in the county on alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, marijuana, and prescription medications, targeting the youth and young adult population. The goals of the coalition are to: 1) reduce youth's use of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, marijuana and prescription misuse 2) promote healthy substance free alternative activities 3) encourage on-going collaboration and connect resources within the county 4) expand the implementation of evidence-based programs to prevent substance use among youth and young adults 5) explore sustainability strategies and develop expansion for prevention services across the county. The residents of clarion county enjoy a small-town rural lifestyle but are easily accessible to two large cities in western pennsylvania: erie and pittsburgh. Clarion county is located in northwestern pennsylvania, with a population of 36,970 residents, predominantly caucasian at 95.3%, and 20.1% under the age of 18. Clarion county is a rural county, and 14.2% of its residents live below the poverty line. The county covers 600.8 square miles and has 34 municipalities: 12 boroughs and 22 townships. Clarion county has 27.9 miles of interstate highways, 620 miles of state and federal highways, and 659 miles of secondary and municipal roads. The seven public school districts of clarion county served 3,922 students during the 2021 school year. Clarion county has a high school graduation rate of 90.2% and a bachelor's degree or higher rate of 23.3%. Clarion county is also the home of pennwest clarion university with an enrollment of 1,743 students and a campus spanning 200 acres. Pennwest clarion is a part of the community, actively involved in the clarion drug free coalition, hosting events and activities as well as providing student volunteers, student teachers, and employees to our county. There are over 80 churches of various denominations in the area, giving residents countless worship opportunities that enable participants the chance to serve and enrich their lives. Religious leaders make themselves available to provide guidance, help those in times of need, and encourage community togetherness. The goal of the clarion drug free coalition is to prevent and reduce substance use among youth in clarion county by implementing a multi-faceted, community-based approach. The coalition recognizes that youth substance use is influenced by a variety of factors, including peer pressure, mental health challenges, family dynamics, and easy access to substances. With the funding efforts of the drug free communities grant, the cdfc can continue effective prevention through education, empowerment, and collaboration in clarion county.