NHS Cares, a nonprofit based in the New Hope – Solebury community, began in March, 2008, as a group of parents, youth, teachers, administrators, clergy, law enforcement, and community members who were concerned that students were using and, in some cases abusing, alcohol and other drugs. Based upon these observations, it was determined that a strong and unified community response was necessary. Some 8 years later, the organization is still going strong, focused on reducing underage drinking and substance use amongst the community’s youth. In the fall of 2015, NHS Cares received a federal grant to help sustain this very important work, potentially for the next 10 years. Known as the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, the grant operates under the following premise: local problems require local solutions. The federal government looks to local organizations, such as NHS Cares, to determine the unique local problems and the solutions that go along with them. The goals are twofold: to strengthen collaboration among community entities and reduce substance use among youth. The approach is multi-pronged: community education, community collaboration, and environmental change. Our coalition is working to increase protective factors that mitigate risks for our young people. According to current national data, rates of substance abuse have declined significantly in DFC grant communities. All DFC community coalitions have one thing in common: the involvement of just about everyone in the community, as it truly does “take a village.” We need your ideas and energy as we strive to educate our parents and youth, establish healthy community norms, and create policies and practices that will help us maintain a safe and healthy environment for our children. The DFC Program is a collaborative effort between the Executive Office of the President’s ONDCP (Office of National Drug Control Policy) and Department of Health and Human Services’ SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Coalition meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (except July and August) in the High School library and are open to the public.
