National and local statistics show that rural, southeast Missouri residents, particularly youth, are at high risk for drug problems. An unsolicited grant was received to address this problem, but the funded agency had no means of developing primary prevention strategies, since staff traditionally dealt with legal and treatment issues. The agency approached the authors to assist with the development of a primary prevention health education program addressing youth substance abuse. This presentation will review the process and uniqueness of receiving unsolicited funds. The presenters will review how the funds were utilized, including the needs assessment process, intervention development, program implementation, and plans for evaluation.
Creating a culturally competent research team was the first step in needs assessment analysis. In a two-month long period, qualitative and quantitative measures were generated regarding issues such as demographics, substance use rates, perceived substance availability, community norms, and cultural acceptance of risky behaviors. This data was used to develop and propose a multilevel, ecological program to reduce risky behaviors related to substance use. Community coalitions were formed to assist with program implementation. The authors will discuss the challenges and barriers faced in recruiting community partners, as many of them were hesitant to participate because of the level of acceptance of youth substance abuse. Program components and implementation steps will be discussed, as well as the evaluation plans. Presenting this unique process will assist health education professionals in the process of dealing with unsolicited funds, developing health education programs for a very high-risk population, and implementing such programs in an area where community support is limited because of cultural acceptance of risky behaviors.