FY 2004 Continuation Drug-Free Communities Support Program

Cumberland County Communicare, Inc. is the fiscal agent for the Coalition for Awareness, Resources, and Education of Substances, or C.A.R.E.S. This group serves Cumberland County, NC, a geographically diverse area with a population of 302,963. To achieve the two goals of reducing substance abuse among youth and of strengthening community anti-drug coalitions, C.A.R.E.S., in its fourth grant year, will implement the following strategies:
1) conduct strategic planning meetings to monitor and increase coalition effectiveness;
2) identify and apply for additional funding opportunities for long-term sustainability; 3) train coalition members and affiliates in those best practice models best suited for the community and youth;
4) collect relevant data from targeted populations and disseminate that data community-wide;
5) continue to inform the public and policymakers about substance abuse issues; 6) work with law enforcement and key leaders to more effectively monitor the sale of alcohol and tobacco as per state and federal law;
7) build resiliency in youth and their families through community events and education programs; and
8) develop a framework for expanding the coalition's prevention strategies to other areas of the county. CA/NCF