Maryland strategic prevention framework

The Maryland Strategic Prevention Framework (M.S.P.F.) is a federal level initiative with a focus on reducing underage drinking.

Here in Maryland funds were awarded statewide in 2010 for jurisdictions to build a coalition of community partners, using the SPF model to determine how and where efforts should be focused. This grant ended June 30, 2015 and allowed our local coalition to invest in many underage drinking prevention activities. In the fall of 2015 just 10 jurisdictions received a second award to continue these efforts for five more years. Due to the outstanding work of our M.S.P.F. coalition, Cecil County was one of the ten!

As they enter the final year of the grant, FY2020, the MSPF2 Coalition continues to provide Responsible Beverage Service training, and fund underage compliance and overservice compliance checks, making Cecil County a safer, healthier place to live, work and play!

drug free communities coalition

The Drug Free Communities Grant (D.F.C.) was awarded to Cecil County in 2014  for a five year period.

There are two primary goals:

1. Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies; as well as federal, state, and local governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent/reduce substance use among youth.

2. Reduce substance use 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. DFC grantees are required to work toward these two goals as the primary focus of their federally-funded effort.  

The DFC Program helps local leaders organize to identify the youth drug issues unique to their communities and develop the infrastructures necessary to effectively prevent and respond to the disease of addiction.

Opioid Misuse Prevention Project

The Opioid Misuse Prevention Project was funded in 2014 by the Behavioral Health Administration at the Maryland Department of Health and Human Hygiene- in an effort to curb the opioid crisis we are experiencing in Cecil County and across the state. OMPP provides Naloxone Training, at no cost, to the public and coordinates the prescription drug take back events which occur bi-annually.

This project includes the media campaign"Rewrite Your Script" featured on billboards and other forms of print media throughout the county.

Additionally, the "Rewrite Your Script" website is a terrific resource for anyone interested in resources concerning opioid misuse prevention.

From the Rewrite Your Script website here are common signs of Opioid Misuse:

* Euphoria                                  *Sleepiness                                        *Trouble breathing

* Anxiety                                     *Numbness                                         *Small pupils

* Confusion                               *Nausea, vomiting                         *Chronic constipation

* Memory problems             *Slurred speech

block grant

Block grant funds were awarded to Cecil County Health Department to plan, implement, and evaluate data-driven, evidence based substance abuse prevention strategies and programs. Only primary prevention activities can be implemented, i.e.services for those who have not been identified as having a substance use disorder that requires treatment.

Since the Block Grant funds must be used to emphasize change at the population-level, at least 50% of the funds will be used on strategies that are most likely to result in population level change. Alcohol and marijuana are the two substances that will be the focus of the Block Grant. This will include environmental, community process and certain information dissemination strategies, such as social marketing campaigns to influence community and individual behavior.

tobacco task force

The Tobacco Task Force convenes quarterly to address underage tobacco use. A significant focus is being placed on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ends) and underage use of vaping products, especially when coupled with THC, the main active compound in cannabis. The Tobacco Task Force provides local mini grants for projects directly impacting youth in Cecil County. They also work with local law enforcement to conduct underage compliance checks of tobacco retailers.

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​As a result of the significant rise in adolescent use of e-cigarettes, and related products, Maryland recently adopted Tobacco 21, raising the age from 18 to 21 for the legal purchase and use of these items. The new law takes effect October 1, 2019 and does provide an exemption for members of the military. Tobacco Task Force meetings are held in conjunction with Drug Free Communities meetings to leverage resources between the coalitions.

Drug Free Cecil Youth Coalition

Drug Free Cecil Youth Coalition was launched in November of 2018 and is comprised of youth from all 6 county high schools. DFCYC meets monthly and works to develop county wide Prevention strategies that can be implemented at their schools. In February of 2019, 9 youth coalition members attended CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) National Forum in Washington, D.C. This week long conference provided an opportunity for students to grow their leadership skills. Youth visited Capitol Hill and spoke with their legislators on prevention topics and issues affecting them as citizens of Cecil County.

On their return the youth began planning a county-wide Prevention Rally to launch National Prevention Week. Youth led the development of this event, served as presenters and speakers and debuted their new Public Service Announcements, developed at the Cecil County Youth Leadership Summit in fall of 2018.

For more information call our sponsoring agency:Youth Empowerment Source @ 443-593-3900.