Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance Inc

Programs: Tobacco free partnership hillsborough (state tobacco grant). Continued funding has allowed the partnership to provide leadership on community issues related to tobacco including prevention, cessation, second hand smoke, smoke free multi unit housing, and workplace wellness. Grantee staff and board members possess a wealth of experience in public health theories and practice, which allows the partnership to continue propelling the mission of tobacco free florida forward. Smoke free multi-unit housing is moving forward with collaborative partnerships with tampa housing authority and the florida department of health in hillsborough county to promote the benefits of 100% tobacco-free public housing. Partnership members and staff have been meeting with residents of public housing to assist at they go tobacco free. This is a critical step in eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke. There is a very successful youth component called students working against tobacco or swat that is very active in our schools and in the community. These students advocate against big tobacco and promote a tobacco free life style with their peers. The partnership and swat have been working on "point of sale" strategies to reduce the influence of storefront advertising, which normalizes the use of tobacco products.

the samhsa drug free communities grant allows hcada to educate the community around areas of substance abuse that are directly impacting hillsborough county. Through this opportunity, hcada has focused on underage drinking, marijuana use and prescription drug abuse prevention. Our alcohol related task force called "tampa alcohol coalition" (tac) is our oldest continuous task force. Tac strives to increase awareness about the consequences of underage drinking and high risk drinking in the community, advocate for effective alcohol policies, and supports the consistent enforcement of underage drinking and dui laws. Members collaborate with local and state organizations, agencies, media and officials in an effort to prevent underage, high risk drinking and impaired driving. Marijuana task force was formed in april 2011 in response to the rapid increase in the use of marijuana among middle and high school students in hillsborough county and the lowering of the perception of harm among students and adults in the community. Our task force has planned and successfully launched a tampa bay drug summit for the past 6 years to educate the prevention field on best practices and evidence based strategies successfully used around the country. Our conference has grown from a 1-day conference to 3 days with well over 300 preventionists attending each year. The task force also collects and shares with lawmakers best practices and sample ordinances/regulations put in place around "medical marijuana" legislation to keep our youth and families safe. The prescription drug abuse prevention task force members address the issues around prescription drug abuse and misuse and the opioid epidemic. Task force members plan for effective strategies to reduce the growing prescription drug and heroin problem in our community. Current strategies include take back days, permanent take back boxes placed in the community, sbirt, providing drug disposal bags and lock boxes to community members, informational presentations, social media and psa's, doctor education, town hall meetings, education and awareness around mat, and tracking and raising awareness of important public policy issues related to reducing prescription drug abuse. In addition, we have a youth-led, adult guided youth group movement called ymad (youth making a difference) which is expanding each year.

our contract with the florida department of children and families as managed through central florida behavioral health network allows hcada to facilitate a community planning process for the prevention and reduction of substance abuse. Hcada uses the strategic prevention framework public health approach recommended by the substance abuse and mental health services administration. This model recognizes that no institution or organization alone can address these issues. It is only through strong community support and collaboration that we can make the necessary changes to make hillsborough county safe and free from substance abuse and addiction. Our strategic plans developed through this process are re evaluated and updated annually. Hcada currently has a plan of action through each task force for prevention and reduction of underage drinking, marijuana use, tobacco use, and prescription drug abuse. In addition, we have mobilized the community to form a den (drug epidemiology network) in our community to conduct a full assessment of the opioid crises and its impact on hillsborough county.

other grants and projects