Atlantic Prevention Resources, Inc.

DFC Funding for Greater Atlantic Partnership (GAP) Coalition - the Greater Atlantic Partnership (GAP) Is a Community Coalition Formed in 2023 in Response to the Devastating Effects of Too Many Local Young People Using Substances Like Alcohol (underage), Tobacco, Marijuana (also Underage) and Other Illicit or Prescription Drugs (outside of Drugs Taken as Prescribed). This Partnership United Members From Among 12 Sectors of the Community to Develop a Plan, Utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework, to Positively Impact Community Change. Gap Targets the Central Area of Atlantic County, New Jersey and Includes: Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, and the City of Pleasantville. These Communities Were Targeted Due to Several Elevated Risk Factors: Their Proximity to the 4 Major Highways That Run Through Them and the Overdose Rate Along These Corridors; Higher Rates of School Dropouts and Truancy for Youth in These Areas; and the Community Assets That Currently Exist That Would Advance Gap Initiatives. Through the Community Needs Assessment, Gap Identified Two Priority Areas of Focus for Intervention/implementation: Underage Drinking and Opioids and Other Illicit Drug Use. While There Tends to Be Less “noise” About It, Alcohol Continues to Be the Most-used Substance by Adolescents Across the Country and Most Notably in Gap Communities. Additionally, Opioids and Illicit Drug Use Has Significantly Increased Due to the Rise in Fentanyl, as Evidenced Through the High Rates of Overdoses Occurring Daily. While Great Work Has Been Done in Both These Areas, Much Still Needs to Be Done and Gap Is Prepared to Address This Need. Gap Intends to Implement Environmental Strategies That Will Make a Measurable Effect in the Community. Gap Will Work to Engage and Increase Community Collaboration Across All Sectors. Through Ongoing Data Collection and Analysis as Well as Education, Gap Will Ensure the Public Has Increased Knowledge. Gap Will Also Address Public Attitudes and Behaviors. Objectives Will Be Met Utilizing the Implementation of Surveys, Focus Groups, Community Scans, Community Mapping, Training and Education, Adoption of Consistent Policies and Procedures and Many Other Activities. Gap Proposes to Address Community Norms and Access/availability for Both Underage Drinking and Opioids and Other Illicit Drugs Through the Seven Strategies for Community Level Change. by Providing Educational Information, Media Campaigns, Convening Town Hall Meetings on the Topic, Advocating for a Change in Policy at the Municipal Level, Providing Merchant Training, Highlighting Compliant Businesses, Distributing Signage and Other Coalition Led Interventions, Gap Can Meet the Community Needs to Impact This Problem. by Implementing Both Evidence-based and Environmental Strategies, Gap Will Reduce Access, Leading to Reductions in Youth Rates Using These Substances. Through Outreach Projects With School Nurses, Veterinarians, Pharmacies, Hospice Organizations, Etc. Gap Intends to Reduce Access to Opioids and Other Illicit Drugs. Additionally, Utilizing These Strategies Will Help Affect Community Norms Towards These Priority Areas, Enabling the Community to Take Positive Action, Creating Healthier, Safer Communities in the Proposed Communities and Neighboring Areas. 1