Cape Assist, Inc.

Community- Based Coalition Enhancement Grants to Address Local Drug Crises - Opioid Misuse Among Youth Is Strongly Linked With Developing an Opioid Use Disorder, Methamphetamine Use Disorder, and Experiencing a Drug Overdose. a Root Cause of Youth Substance Use Is the Need to Cope With the Trauma Caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences (aces). Building Resiliency in Children Through Community Connection Reduces the Impact of Aces by Providing Positive Experiences to Combat Trauma. This Is a Major Factor in the Prevention of Substance Abuse as an Adult. According to the CDC, Reducing the Impact of Aces on Youth Has Been Linked to Lower Drug and Alcohol Rates, Lower Rates of High-risk Behaviors, and an Increase in Life Expectancy. the Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition (HCC) Strives to Build a Healthy Cape May County by Reducing Substance Abuse. the Coalition Will Use the Seven Strategies for Community Change to Increase Protective Factors and Resiliency Skills of County Youth, and Perception of Harm and Awareness of Access to Opioids, Methamphetamine and Prescription Drug Misuse. Under the Cara Project Goal One Is to Reduce Reduce Opioid, Methamphetamine, And/or Prescription Drug Use/misuse Among Youth, the Coalition Has Two Objectives: by June 30, 2022 Reduce the Percentage of Youth Aged 12-18 in Cape May County Who Report Past 30 Day Use of Prescription Drug Use/misuse by 10% as Reported by the Cape May County Pride Survey; by June 30, 2022, Reduce the Percentage of High School Students in Cape May County Who Report It ?easy? and ?fairly Easy? to Get Opioids From 13% to 11% as Reported by the Pride Survey. the Coalition?s Objectives Will Include Increasing the Number of Youth That Actively Participate in Activities of the Youth Taskforce. This Will Be Done by Recruiting New Members, Providing Opportunities Meaningful Outreach, and by Maintaining and Strengthening Current Membership. Goal Two Is to Change the Culture and Context Regarding Acceptability of Youth Opioid, Methamphetamine, and /or Prescription Drug Use/ Misuse, the Coalition Has Two Objectives: by December 31, 2021, Increase by 25% Youth Membership in the Youth Taskforce; by June 30, 2022, Educate 250 Youth Influencers/stakeholders and Community Members on Local Issues Related to Youth Use of Opioids, Methamphetamine and Prescription Drugs Through Literature Dissemination, Educational Workshops and Attendance at Community Meetings and Events.