2024-2025 Youth Opioid Prevention Grant Program

The Youth Opioid Prevention Grant Program (YOPGP) in Oregon City is dedicated to preventing opioid misuse and reducing overdose deaths among young people through evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies. The program aligns with a mission to improve the community's overall quality of life by investing directly in youth-focused initiatives. It seeks to create a healthier environment for young individuals by addressing the critical issue of opioid-related harms. The primary beneficiaries of this program are the youth within the Oregon City community. The impact goals are twofold: to discourage or prevent the misuse of opioids and to prevent or reduce overdose deaths and other opioid-related harms. This is achieved by focusing on comprehensive prevention efforts and harm reduction strategies specifically tailored for young people, aiming to foster a safer and more resilient youth population. The program prioritizes two main areas: preventing opioid misuse and preventing overdose deaths and other harms. Under misuse prevention, strategies include media campaigns, corrective advertising, drug take-back programs, and evidence-based prevention in schools and communities. It also emphasizes addressing mental health needs of young people at risk of misusing opioids, including emotional modulation, resilience skills, and increased access to mental health services through schools and behavioral health workers. For harm reduction, the focus is on increasing the availability and distribution of naloxone and other overdose-treating drugs, alongside training and education for various community members and organizations. The expected outcomes include a measurable decrease in youth opioid misuse and a reduction in overdose deaths and other opioid-related harms in Oregon City. The program anticipates improved community well-being and a more informed and resilient youth population capable of making healthier choices. The strategic approach is rooted in a theory of change that posits that by implementing evidence-based prevention and harm reduction programs, providing mental health support, and increasing access to life-saving resources, the incidence of opioid misuse and its associated negative consequences among youth will significantly decline. The funding for the YOPGP comes from the Oregon City Budget Committee, which earmarks $40,000 annually. The City plans to distribute up to $40,000 in awards each year, with individual grants capped at $20,000 for a one-year duration (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, schools or institutions of higher learning, and local government advisory committees, departments, or coalitions. Projects must not involve major capital improvements, promote or inhibit religion, discriminate, or replace existing funding sources.