Hope 4 Life

WORDS OF HOPE FOR LIFE DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES (DFC) SUPPORT PROGRAM - NEW (YEAR 1) - WORDS OF HOPE 4 LIFE (WOH4L) AIMS TO REDUCE ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA USE AMONG MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH THE STRATEGIC PREVENTION FRAMEWORK AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES. BY TARGETING FAMILY, PEER, AND INDIVIDUAL RISK FACTORS, WOH4L WILL ADDRESS THE PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE. THE PROJECT WILL UTILIZE THE SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY LEVEL CHANGE, ENGAGING MULTIPLE SECTORS TO IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE WORK PLAN. WOH4L SEEKS TO INCREASE COALITION CAPACITY, REDUCE YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE, AND ACHIEVE SPECIFIC LOCAL OUTCOMES, INCLUDING A 20% INCREASE IN SECTOR INVOLVEMENT, A 5% DECREASE IN 30-DAY ALCOHOL USE, AND A 5% DECREASE IN 30-DAY MARIJUANA USE AMONG YOUTH IN GRADES 6-12 BY SEPTEMBER 2029. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING INFORMATION, BUILDING SKILLS, OFFERING SUPPORT, CHANGING BARRIERS/ACCESS, ALTERING CONSEQUENCES/INCENTIVES, MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND IMPLEMENTING POLICY CHANGES.