Local Problems Need Local Solutions
A central, bipartisan reduction strategy, the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program recognizes that the drug issue must be addressed locally within each community in America. Communities need to identify and respond to its local and specific drug and alcohol use issues. The program recognizes that in order to be sustainable over time, it must have community buy-in.
How did the DFC Program become established?
The DFC Support Program was created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-20).
The DFC, Drug Free Communities, grant program takes a comprehensive, multi-sector and data-driven approach to prevent and reduce youth substance use in communities throughout the United States.
By statute, the DFC Support Program has two goals:
- Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth.
- Reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.