The Love Detroit Prevention Coalition, spearheaded by Dr. Grenae Dudley, President and CEO, and Jeff Griffith, Chief Operating Officer, is a dynamic force in combating substance use among youth in Detroit’s most vulnerable communities. Established in 2018, the coalition operates with the fundamental goal of addressing substance abuse issues in three high-risk ZIP codes in Northeast Detroit. These areas, historically marked by gang activity, violence, and drug trafficking, present a challenging environment where youth are particularly susceptible to the dangers of substance misuse.
At the heart of the coalition’s mission is the prevention of substance abuse among the youth in these communities. As Dr. Dudley stated, “Our whole goal with our coalition is to look at issues around substance use prevention among our youth.” The coalition focuses on the non-medical use of prescription drugs, marijuana, and alcohol to reduce the prevalence of these substances among minors. Their work is not just about addressing the immediate risks; it’s about fostering long-term change by engaging youth, parents, law enforcement, and various local organizations in a collaborative effort.
Roles and Responsibilities
Dr. Grenae Dudley, as head of the coalition, plays a pivotal role in steering the organization’s strategic direction. Her leadership is complemented by Jeff Griffith who handles aspects of data reporting, community organizing, and marketing and awareness campaigns. Together, they ensure that the coalition not only sets ambitious goals but also achieves measurable outcomes in reducing substance use. Griffith described his role as involving “a lot of the reporting, the data, and also kind of work with our community organizers, our coalition coordinators, just trying to make our 12-month action plan happen.”
The coalition is supported by a robust network of over 80 volunteers who contribute in various capacities. The largest group of volunteers comes from the youth, who are actively engaged in initiatives that directly impact their communities. Dr. Dudley highlighted the involvement of law enforcement, stating, “We have tremendous law enforcement involvement. In fact, we work with the DEA, the FBI, the city of Detroit Police Department, and the Highland Park Police Department.” These partnerships are instrumental in the coalition’s efforts to engage with the community on issues of substance use.
Targeted Issues and Strategies
The coalition’s primary focus is on preventing substance misuse among youth, with particular attention to marijuana, the non-medical use of prescription drugs, and alcohol. These substances were identified through a combination of community feedback and data analysis as the most pressing issues in the coalition’s target areas. Dr. Dudley emphasized the importance of community involvement, saying, “I always had this question that I ask: Who owns this problem with me?” To combat these issues, the coalition has implemented various strategies, including environmental scans, community education, and policy advocacy as well as working with a wide cross section of community stakeholders and partners.
One of the coalition’s most successful strategies has been its deep engagement with local schools and youth. Recognizing that youth are not just passive recipients but active agents of change, the coalition has involved them in initiatives such as conducting environmental scans to identify unauthorized marijuana dispensaries and participating in presentations before city councils and national organizations like CADCA. These activities not only empower the youth by giving them a voice in their community but also demonstrate the tangible impact they can have. “Our kids presented nationally, and our police explorers are engaged in substance use prevention efforts with our Detroit Police Department (DPD) neighborhood police officers,” Dudley noted, highlighting the significant role of youth in these initiatives.
Key Achievements and Impact
The coalition’s efforts have led to significant community-level changes. One of the most notable achievements was the reduction of unauthorized marijuana dispensaries in the targeted ZIP codes. Through the coalition’s initiatives, including youth-led environmental scans and public advocacy, LDPC youth identified 18 out of 30 dispensaries operating without authorization in our targeted zip codes. The youth were instrumental in getting one shut down permanently. This victory not only curtailed the availability of marijuana in these areas but also underscored the power of community activism led by youth. “The kids see that their voice had impact,” Dudley said, illustrating the empowerment that came from their involvement.
The coalition also plays a crucial role in the DEA’s drug takeback events, which are designed to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. These events have been particularly successful in Detroit, thanks to the coalition’s coordination efforts. For example, when the NFL draft coincided with a scheduled DEA takeback event, making police officers unavailable, the coalition successfully negotiated a date change with the DEA and DPD, ensuring that the takeback could still take place. “The fact that we were able to change a national day for just Detroit was amazing,” Dudley recalled. This adaptability and commitment to the cause resulted in the collection of more pounds of pills than in any previous event since April 2022.
