Drug Free Communities

38107-kidsThe Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC) is a Federal grant program that provides funding to community-based coalitions like the Coalition that organize to prevent youth substance use.  Since the passage of the DFC Act in 1997, the DFC program has funded nearly 2,000 coalitions and currently mobilizes nearly 9,000 community volunteers across the country.

The aim of the DFC program is two-fold: 1.) to strengthen collaboration among community entities; and 2.) to reduce substance use among youth. Recent evaluation data indicate that where DFC dollars are invested, youth substance use is lower.  Over the life of the DFC program, youth living in DFC communities have experienced reductions in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use.Since 2005, DFC-funded communities have achieved significant reductions in youth alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use:

  • 16% reduction in alcohol use, 27% reduction in tobacco use, and 23% reduction in marijuana use among middle school youth living in DFC-funded communities;
  • High school-aged youth have reduced their use of alcohol by 9%, tobacco by 16%, and marijuana by 7% in DFC-funded communities; and
  • DFC-funded coalitions have worked with law enforcement to manage prescription drug take-back programs, as well as implementing local policy changes to address the accessibility and available of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

The Coalition maintains issue specific task groups to support its vision of  a strong, sustainable Sanford where all youth and families have the conditions and opportunities to thrive and succeed. To support this vision, the following task groups have been formed.

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SANFORD DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES (DFC) TASK FORCE:  The mission is to reduce substance abuse by increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors at the community level.

  • Activities: providing information and resources to the community and engaging all sectors of the community in environmental changes to reduce substance abuse.
  • Meetings:  Third Tuesday of the month  at 9:00 in the media room at Sanford Regional Tech Center.
  • Contact:    Nichole Ivey