FY 2004 Continuation Drug-Free Communities Support Program Application for Continuation Funding

PROJECT SUMMARY FOR 2001-JN-FX-0168
The City of Las Cruces is the fiscal agent for The Mesquite Street Weed and Seed Steering Committee. The coalition serves the oldest residential section in the City of Las Cruces, NM. This inner-city neighborhood has a population of 5,647, with 45.7% of the residents living below the moderate-income level. In the 0-17 age group, 80% of the 1,563 youths are Hispanic. The goals of the coalition are to: 1) increase protective factors and minimize risk factors to reduce the age of onset and ATOD use among youth and adults; 2) increase the level of community attachment among neighborhood residents; and 3) strengthen collaboration between the coalition and other community groups. To achieve these goals, the coalition will implement the following strategies:
1) increase the efficacy of youth, ages 5-18, living within the boundaries of the neighborhood by engaging them in community service projects;
2) provide youth the opportunity to engage in after-school activities through collaborative community efforts;
3) increase community involvement by providing residents a significant role in neighborhood prevention efforts;
4) collaborate on two youth-led forums to develop a long-term drug prevention plan;
5) facilitate the use of alternative activities to prevent alcohol and drug use; and,
6) enhance ATOD prevention planning efforts to minimize duplication while maximizing cooperation and collaboration.
CA/NCF