Wakulla County Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program

Strategy #1: Provide information to the general public and key stakeholders about youth alcohol & marijuana use

a. Public Education Campaign

The WCCY will inform the community about youth substance use through a comprehensive Public Education Campaign, to include this website, press releases, social media, and informational kiosks in local schools and community locations.  

b.  Social Norms Marketing Campaign 

This initiative employs an evidence-based approach to dispel misperceptions about alcohol and marijuana use among youth in Wakulla County.  Posters, social media, and other print material with positive messaging will be placed in the view of Wakulla middle and high school students. 

Strategy #2: Enhance Skills among relevant stakeholders so youth and adults can develop positive social and decision-making capabilities.

Too Good for Drugs

This comprehensive prevention program will be taught in partnering schools and community settings. Too Good for Drugs helps students navigate social and academic pressures and manage them without turning to substance use to cope. 

Parent Education & Action Events
WCCY will conduct multiple Parent Education and Action Events annually, which will focus on equipping parents with skills for raising responsible teens and preventing youth substance use. 

Wakulla Parent Facebook Support Group
A private Facebook group for Wakulla parents will be facilitated by WCCY, which will serve as a Parent Support network focused on youth alcohol and marijuana prevention as well as general parenting support. 

Strategy #3:  Provide Support to increase opportunities that increase involvement in drug-free/healthy alternative activities, reduce risk factors, & enhance protective factors for youth/adults 

a. Resource and Referral Guide

WCCY sector representatives offer a variety of resources to help youth and their families make healthy choices and avoid substance use, including fun activities, support groups, and referrals for healthcare services. This website serves as the Resource and Referral Guide for Wakulla County. 

b. Community Festivals. 

WCCY will participate in local community festivals aimed at building a strong, healthy Wakulla County through enjoyable activities, health-focused events, and valuable information sharing. These festivals will offer diverse, engaging activities for all ages, complemented by informative booths hosted by different sectors within the WCCY.

Strategy 4: Enhance access, reduce barriers, & improve connections between systems & services that help prevent youth alcohol & marijuana use 

a. Monthly WCCY Meetings

WCCY Meetings are held monthly and involve representatives from the 12 sectors.  These meetings emphasize collaborative efforts with coalition members to advance the DFC grant program's mission by sharing information about activities and services relevant to youth and families in Wakulla County.

b.  Community Needs Assessment

This effort aims to enhance connections between sectors, improve service coordination, identify key community needs, highlight existing assets, and pinpoint barriers to utilizing systems for reducing youth substance use. Information gathered will be incorporated into this website and summarized in a written report disseminated to community stakeholders. 

Strategy 5: Change consequences to incentivize positive practices & disincentivize negative practices 

a.  Use Data to Inform Local Policy Change

Using data gathered from the Needs Assessment phase, WCCY aims to influence local policy changes by incorporating input from sector representatives, with a particular emphasis on youth voices.  WCCY members will examine existing research literature as well as local youth alcohol and marijuana data to inform local policies related to youth alcohol and marijuana use that aim to incentivize positive practices and disincentivize negative practices. 

Strategy 6: Change physical design of community to enhance protection against or reduce the risk for youth alcohol/ marijuana use

a. Hot Spot Mapping

This initiative involves gathering information from local law enforcement,  school  administrators, and youth to pinpoint areas where risky behaviors, like alcohol and marijuana use, are prevalent.  Results will be shared with school administrators,  community leaders, and law enforcement to implement necessary actions.

b. Enhance Community Recreational Facilities

An additional goal of the Community Needs Assessment and Hot Spot Mapping activities will be to identify areas in the community that could benefit from enhancements, which will in turn improve youth access to safe, drug-free zones. Once those are identified, funds raised through Community events to enrecreational facilities.  

Strategy 7: Educate & inform about modifying/ changing policies that reduce access & availability to alcohol & marijuana among youth 

a. Increase collaboration with local law enforcement

This activity involves collaborating with local law enforcement officials to evaluate the prevalence of selling alcohol to minors and assessing the need for community policy or law changes. The law enforcement sector representative will serve as an important liaison between WCCY and local officials. 

b. Increased Collaboration with Local School Officials

The initiative seeks to enhance collaboration with local school officials to encourage the implementation of additional substance abuse prevention services. Through engagement with principals, the superintendent, and school board members, WCCY will advocate for more youth prevention services in Wakulla County schools, drawing on data from the Community Needs Assessment.