The Drug Free Communities Project (DFC) is centered on reducing youth substance abuse and improving/strengthening collaboration in the community. The DFC project team works primarily through the Developmental Assets model to build a more supportive and drug resistant community.
To address youth substance, specifically underage drinking and binge drinking, the coalition has held multiple town hall meetings and Enough Underage Drinking Summits which pull together key stakeholders in the community to develop a coordinated effort. The DFC team has worked with area law enforcement and court services to strengthen enforcement of penalties for adults hosting and providing alcohol to minors. The DFC team has also initiated several communications campaigns on underage drinking including: billboards, theater ads, newspaper inserts, posters in school, and other media.
To build and strengthen community collaboration, the DFC team works through multiple coalitions, especially the Building Asset-Strong, Involved Communities (BASIC) coalition to bring the message of youth asset building to all of the areas in our region and coordinate and develop asset development efforts and initiatives. This work includes training and support of ALPHA peer leaders in five area schools, coordinating block parties in neighborhoods to re-engage the local community with young people, working with the business community to develop their awareness and support of young people and providing training and technical assistance to a variety of community partners in how to keep the next generation safe and drug free. Learn more about The H Group's DFC project by visiting www.devassets.com or contact Shelley Eilerts, Community Coordinator, at (618)937-6483, extension 6145.
