Tioga County ASAP Coalition awarded Drug Free Communities grant

Tioga County Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Coalition has received a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant to prevent youth substance use, including prescription drugs, marijuana, tobacco and alcohol. 

The DFC program, created by the DFC Act of 1997 is the Nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use and is directed by the Office of the National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Grants are provided to community coalitions to strengthen the collaboration among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use. 

The Tioga County Community Services Board will receive the funding on behalf of the coalition, and CASA-Trinity Prevention Services will continue to guide the coalition through the Strategic Prevention Framework as part of the county prevention plan through NYS Office on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

With support from the Community Services Board and county legislature, Tioga County has made substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services a main priority. This includes the formation of Tioga County ASAP Coalition and a focus on the mission to engage our communities in efforts to understand, prevent, and reduce youth and community substance abuse in Tioga County.

Lori Morgan LCSW-R, director of Community Services stated, “Tioga County is excited about the positive impact and opportunities this grant will have and provide in our Community. Tioga County has experienced the devastating effects of addiction. This funding will expand our ability to provide prevention education, increase community events, raise awareness, and reduce stigma”.

Tioga County ASAP has been able to mobilize partners from across the county with shared common goals of advocating for policy changes and implementing strategies that reduce youth access to alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.

The ASAP Coalition has collaborated with many new prevention partners this past year. Schools partnered with the coalition to conduct the Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, which collected data on student substance use and perceptions, as well as identified specific risk and protective factors. 

Collaborations with public health and local law enforcement have led to the creation of Tioga County emergency resource cards, two medication drop boxes were added, and bringing drug impairment trainings to educational professionals in schools. 

Additionally, Tioga ASAP has developed community awareness campaigns and parent education materials to shift community norms to promote positive and healthy behaviors.

“Every community is different but by using a complete action plan driven by local data, a coalition can engage people, ideas, and resources in prevention efforts that will have a lasting effect on community health,” stated Christina Olevano, project director for Tioga County ASAP Coalition. 

She added, “These are our communities and the coalition is meant to bring together members from all sectors in each community such as parents, youth, schools, churches, medical professionals, law enforcement, media, and local businesses to work together for community level changes.”

To learn more about the Tioga County Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition or the Drug Free Communities grant, contact Christina Olevano by email to colevano@casa-trinity.org.