Le Faces 4 Change Coalition recently launched a comprehensive meth prevention bundle, designed to raise awareness and offer vital resources for combating methamphetamine use in communities. Headed by Dr. P. Thandi Hicks Harper, the coalition operates out of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and serves the greater Rockingham County area in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. This initiative comes at a critical time, as substance abuse, particularly meth use, continues to rise, and communities struggle with providing effective interventions for youth and families. The prevention bundle, officially launched on October 8, 2024, offers a comprehensive toolkit for stakeholders across sectors to better understand meth use and contribute to its prevention.

The Coalition’s Mission and Community Impact

The Faces 4 Change Coalition was founded in 2009 and was recognized as a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) coalition in 2020. The coalition focuses on addressing substance misuse, specifically among youth, and works to create positive engagement within the community. As noted by Dr. Harper, the coalition operates in a highly diverse region: 75 distinct languages are spoken by students in the local school district, and 26% of Harrisonburg’s residents live in poverty. This complex socio-economic fabric demands unique, culturally competent approaches to substance misuse prevention.

To supercharge their mission to prevent substance use, the coalition has incorporated elements of popular youth culture, particularly hip-hop, into their prevention and awareness strategies. They aim to meet young people where they are, understanding that engaging youth through culturally relevant mediums is crucial for fostering change. The coalition’s approach includes youth ambassadors who break down lyrics from popular artists like Lizzo and J Balvin as part of their outreach, using these messages to inspire healthy lifestyle choices and leadership qualities among peers.

Addressing Substance Use: Meth, Lean, Fentanyl, and Vaping

In addition to its innovative engagement methods, the coalition has focused on several pressing substance misuse issues within their community. These include marijuana, non-medical use of prescription drugs, methamphetamine, and a relatively new concern: lean (a mixture of cough syrup, soda, and candy), which has gained popularity among youth. Dr. Harper points out that methamphetamine and fentanyl are especially concerning in their area, with fentanyl deaths rising at alarming rates across the country. Vaping, sometimes involving vape cartridges laced with fentanyl, has also become prevalent and accessible among teens, further complicating the prevention landscape.

The coalition has observed a troubling increase in the accessibility of drugs through social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. These platforms make it easier for youth to access substances, contributing to the larger issue of normalizing drug use among young people. Faces 4 Change continues to fight these trends by raising awareness of the dangers associated with these substances and helping parents, educators, and community leaders stay informed about how young people encounter and use drugs today.

The Meth Prevention Bundle: A Comprehensive Toolkit

The Faces 4 Change Coalition’s meth prevention bundle is a robust resource designed to inform, educate, and engage multiple audiences. The bundle contains five key components:

1. A Brochure: Aimed at parents, educators, and community members, this offers a quick overview of the dangers of methamphetamine use, signs to look out for, and available local resources.
2. A Fact Sheet: This provides statistical data and basic information about methamphetamine use both nationally and locally, making it accessible for a broad audience.
3. A Toolkit: The centerpiece of the bundle, this 55-page document includes detailed information on methamphetamine prevention and intervention strategies. It’s designed for use by researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals.
4. Presentation Slides: These slides are meant for use by community organizations, schools, and prevention programs, providing a visual and structured way to present information on methamphetamine prevention.
5. An Info Video: Targeted at youth, this video uses culturally relevant content to educate young people on the risks of methamphetamine use. The video is designed to be watched with or without adult facilitation and will be shown on a loop in schools and community events as part of the coalition’s prevention campaign.

Dr. Harper emphasizes that the diverse set of resources included in the bundle is intentional. While professionals might find the full toolkit most useful, teachers, parents, and community leaders might be more drawn to the fact sheet or brochure. The info video is designed to capture the attention of young people and can be utilized in classrooms or at home.

Additionally, the meth fact sheet is available in both English and Spanish, reflecting the coalition’s commitment to serving Harrisonburg’s large Spanish-speaking population.

Community Engagement and Sustainability

One of the hallmarks of the Faces 4 Change Coalition is their commitment to engaging community members at every level. They regularly collaborate with local schools, law enforcement, and healthcare providers to deliver prevention programming. For example, youth ambassadors have been instrumental in media production efforts, creating public service announcements and infomercials that spread the coalition’s message.

The coalition also participates in community events such as Drug Take Back Day and Mental Health Month at local schools, reinforcing the message that substance use prevention is a community-wide effort. Law enforcement partners have assisted in safe drug storage campaigns, and the coalition works closely with mental health counselors and students and professors to address the holistic needs of the community.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of these efforts, Faces 4 Change has pursued several funding avenues. They have established a memorandum of understanding with the local school district, engaged in city grant programs, and developed lasting relationships with local businesses and sponsors. As Dr. Harper explains, these partnerships are essential, as government grants often do not cover all the coalition’s expenses.

Success and Impact

Already, the bundle has garnered attention from state agencies, and Dr. Harper is optimistic that it will become a powerful tool in the fight against methamphetamine use. The Virginia Commonwealth’s Community Services Board has expressed interest in distributing the bundle across the state, further extending its reach.

The Mayor of Harrisonburg has also expressed her support for the initiative, seeing it as a valuable asset in the fight against both substance misuse and mental health challenges among youth in the city. The timing of the launch—October 8, 2024—also aligns with Substance Abuse Prevention Month, underscoring the significance of the meth prevention bundle as part of the larger conversation on community health.

Conclusion

The Faces 4 Change Coalition’s meth prevention bundle is a shining example of how community-driven initiatives can tackle complex social issues like substance misuse. By integrating culturally relevant prevention strategies and engaging community partners at every level, the coalition is taking proactive steps toward a healthier, drug-free future for Harrisonburg and beyond. As the meth prevention bundle is rolled out, Faces 4 Change hopes that other coalitions across the country will be inspired to take similar action, tailoring their approaches to the unique needs of their communities.