Drug-Free Communities Support Program

Project Summary For (S-1) Muslim Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh serves as the fiscal agent for the Coalition for Human Dignity. The group serves Monroeville and surrounding areas within Allegheny County, PA, a region encompassing both rural and suburban communities with a combined population of approximately 1,280,000. Although the Coalition for Human Dignity has only recently begun operating, it has already recorded a number of significant accomplishments, most notably, constructing a broad, inclusive coalition that has been an active participant in the community. Additionally, the group has begun developing a research and survey tool that will be used to gauge the effectiveness of the coalition's programs. To achieve the two goals of reducing substance abuse among youth and strengthening community antidrug coalitions, the Coalition for Human Dignity, in its second year, will implement the following strategies: 1) conducting surveys to determine the extent of the substance abuse problem in the area and the amount of community support; 2) developing a Youth Leadership Congress; 3) creating an Adult Leadership Corps that will work with youth, provide escorts for youth trips (e.g., to youth leadership camp), and act as mentors; 4) implementing educational programs and events for youth, parents, and the community; 5) planning and implementing a media campaign aimed at reducing youth substance abuse; 6) utilizing press releases and a quarterly newsletter to inform the community of coalition activities; and 7) establishing a clearinghouse to disseminate information on the incidence, prevalence, and trends of youth substance use and abuse and on best practices and research strategies to address it. CA/NCF