A Drug Free Communities Coalition
(or DFC Grantee)The Drug Free Communities Program is nationally recognized for its success in achieving reduced drug use and misuse in communities throughout the country to levels below the national average. CVARR is a recipient of the highly competitive DFC Grant, and as such is entrusted with addressing emerging substance use trends in our youth, such as alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, prescription and synthetic drugs. The DFC Support Program has two goals: Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies; as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth.
CVARR’s Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Goals
CVARR is dedicated to preventing youth substance use by fostering strong community collaboration and implementing evidence-based strategies. As part of our Drug-Free Communities (DFC) initiative, we are focused on two primary goals:
Goal 1: Strengthen Community Collaboration
We aim to engage a diverse network of stakeholders—including all 12 community sectors—to create a unified approach to youth substance use prevention.
Goal 2: Reduce Youth Substance Use
To achieve this, we have set measurable objectives:
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By 2026, decrease the rate of self-reported past 30-day tobacco use among 8th, 10th, and 12th-grade students in Lynchburg City Schools by 10% (from 22% to 19.8%), as indicated by the 2026 Lynchburg Youth Survey.
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By 2026, increase the percentage of students who perceive marijuana use as harmful by 10% (from 35% to 31.5%), helping to shift attitudes and reduce use.
Through community education, policy initiatives, and prevention programs, CVARR is committed to creating a healthier future for Lynchburg’s youth. Learn more about how you can support our efforts. Check out “Our Work” to find out more!