Drug Free Communities of America

 

 

 

 

 

           
   

Throughout the United States, organizations are joining together to create communities that are free of the scourge of drugs.  To serve this cause more effectively and efficiently the U.S. Congress passed the Drug-Free Communities Act in 1997 which created the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (DFCSP).  This program had two primary goals: 1) to reduce substance abuse among youth, and over time, among adults by addressing the factors in the community that serve to increase the risk of substance abuse and those that minimize the risk of substance abuse; and 2) to establish and strengthen collaboration among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, communities, and private nonprofit agencies to reduce and prevent substance abuse among youth.

As a recipient of the Drug Free Communities Grant, San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc. (SAFB) conducts drug prevention activities in three school districts, 9 public housing sites, and several different community centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YMCA's.  Other strategies include training for judges who are seeking alternatives to incarceration and one-on-one counseling.  SAFB will also implement a media campaign that will increase public awareness about substance abuse and encourage parent involvement.

For more information on Drug Free Communities, please contact Linda Tippins, SAFB Executive Vice President at (210) 271-7232.

 

  

Kids at Risk:
Four in 10 school children said drugs were being sold at their schools. (NIDA)
By age 16, 1 in 3 young teens has been approached to buy or use drugs. (NIDA)
By age 18, more than 1 in 5 teens have used drugs. (NIDA)
Approximately 1 in 10 high school seniors has used cocaine. (NIDA)
Teenager in Recovery, Casper Wyoming

A high school dropout from an abusive family had a serious marijuana and alcohol problem. She sought help at her community drug treatment center, and by the time she completed treatment, she had passed her high school equivalency test and won a college scholarship. A year later she is working with children from problem homes and continues to support her recovery by regularly attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Call San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc. at (210) 271-7232 to find out about counseling or treatment in your area.
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