History
GNCPC was created in 2007 with a 2-year (with possible 3rd) prevention grant. The federal grant, administered by United Way of Greater Nashua (UWGN), will help build capacity in the Greater Nashua Area to deliver evidence-based direct and environmental services aimed at reducing substance abuse among youth and adults.
Developing and Implementing a plan
The Coalition will develop and implement a region-wide comprehensive plan to prevent substance abuse by:
- Building membership of the coalition from communities within the region, and collect information on the scope of substance use consumption and consequences through interviews, surveys, data collection and focus groups;
- Using the gathered information to develop a strategic plan that will address consumption and consequence patterns in our communities;
- Applying about $80,000 in pilot funds, plus funding that will be leveraged by UWGN to implement a plan that supports evidence-based prevention strategies selected by the coalition;
- Conducting ongoing, comprehensive evaluation of all prevention efforts;
Ensuring culturally sensitive processes and effective sustainability planning for all coalition efforts.
Local Efforts
3 sector-specific advisory councils:
- Judicial System Advisory Council
- School Resource Advisory Council
- Peer Youth Leader Advisory Council
Each advisory council has members from 8 sub-regions along school districts as follows:
- Nashua
- Hudson
- Hollis/Brookline
- Merrimack
- Litchfield
- Milford
- Amherst/Mont Vernon
- Wilton/Lyndeborough
Each of these sub-regions either is working as or developing a coalition to track and address the issue of Underage Alcohol Consumption, which the GNCPC membership has identified as a priority issue. Three interdependent risk factors are:
- Social Norms – the perceived acceptance and normality of Underage Drinking.
- Social Access and Availability – the ability of youth to obtain alcohol through social sources, such as parents, friends and siblings over 21, at underage parties and at home.
- Perception of Risk – the perception that there is a low risk of harm or consequences resulting from Underage Drinking.