- Drug Free Communities (DFC) Initiative for a Safe and Healthy Hollywood
- Community
Agency Support in the Recruitment of Youth
- Youth engagement and mobilization
- Leadership training
- Incentives
for participation
THE HOLLYWOOD DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY
INITIATIVE
In September 2005, the Hollywood community received a five-year, $500,000 grant from
the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement a Drug-Free Community Initiative
in Hollywood.
This initiative will strengthen the leadership of local youth and adult residents, along with participants
from Hollywood schools, youth-serving agencies, businesses, civic groups, faith organizations, law enforcement, government,
other city programs and the media, to create a Hollywood community where youth are safe from exposure to substance use, pressure
to use drugs and alcohol, and the negative health, social, educational and criminal consequences of substance use.
The initiative will build upon Hollywood's existing partnerships and network of services to:
1) reduce the
use of drugs in public areas that youth frequent;
2) increase substance abuse prevention activities in schools and other
youth programs;
3) establish more safe and drug-free activities for local high school-aged youth;
4) increase the
use of youth-specific substance abuse treatment services; and
5) increase family communication about substance use and
other risk behaviors.
The Division of Adolescent Medicine at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is the lead
agency for the project, and, along with other participating agencies will match the grant award dollar for dollar.
There will be many, meaningful opportunities for all interested community members and organizations to participate in this
important effort to make Hollywood a safer, healthier place. Please join us in this exciting work for now and for the
future of our youth.
Please contact Irene Lim at (323) 361-2463, at the Division of Adolescent Medicine,
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, for more information or to get involved in the Hollywood Drug-Free Community Initiative.
HCPAB YOUTH COMMITTEE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- June 6,
2003: "Cops & Kids Conference Working Together for Peace on the Streets." This event
was coordinated in collaboration with the Hollywood Police Department and held at the LA Convention Center. The purpose
of the event was to open lines of communication and build relationships between youth and police. The entire Hollywood Area
Gang Unit attended.
--July 2003: Organized and established a STOP (Students Together
Organized for Peace) group at Bancroft Middle School and LeConte Middle School. The STOP group is charged with developing
and implementing peer-to-peer outreach and education activates that focus on violence prevention on campus and in the Hollywood
community.
-October 2003: Conducted a faculty/staff survey at Bancroft Middle School and LeConte
Middle School to understand and address the key safety concerns on campus among faculty, youth, and parents.
-June 10, 2004: "Community Speak Out"
This event served as an opportunity for youth, families,
community members, and local businesses to talk about safety in their community. An interactive discussion took place with
guest panelists that included Captain Mike Downing, Richard Llewellyn from Councilmember Tom LaBonge's office, and Erik Sanjurjo
from Councilmember Eric Garcetti's office.
Parent leaders and staff representatives presented an extensive slide
who that included photos of over 20 hot spots in the Hollywood community and recommended strategies to improve safety.
-November 18, 2004: Community Meeting entitled "Responding to Your Safety Concerns in Your Schools
and Neighborhoods".
This event served as an important follow-up to the Community Speak Out. LAPD announced
that a camera would be installed in front of the McDonalds at Hollywood & Highland in response to community concerns related
to the drug trafficking in the public restrooms.
-June 25, 2005: "Neighborhood Beautification
Day" that included the block area of South of Fountain, West of Wilton, North of Santa Monica, and East of Gordon.
This block area was identified by youth, families, and community members as one area in Hollywood that would benefit most
from a community clean up.
Councilmember Eric Garcetti and Captain Ron Sanchez attended the event. Free
food, music, and gifts were provided to 100 participants including youth and families.
The event was sponsored
by the Hollywood LA Bridges collaborative which includes LA Community Development Department, Childrens Hospital, Home-SAFE,
Hollywood-Wilshire YMCA, LACAAW is now Peace Over Violence, LACER's Bancroft and Hollywood Stars, Public Counsel, Team Works/LA
Team Mentoring, Aztecs Rising, Family Development Network and the Police Activities League (PAL) of Hollywood.
-September 2005: Introduction of the Hollywood Drug-Free Community Initiative.
August
15th 2009: The Ticket Youth Conference 2009 took place at the Hollywood Palladium. Over 200 youth from
the Hollywood community participated and engaged in meaningful and honest discussions with law enforcement and elected leaders
regarding their schools and community. Youth Leaders presented a Photo Essay of what they have to contend with while
walking in parts of Hollywood every day. Photographs expressed their need for more Youth Recreational Programs, their
constant exposure to drugs and marijuana clinics and the negative impact of vandalism.
April 2010: “Reach
out Now Teach Ins” took place and reached approximately 300 youth at LeConte Middle School, Bernstein High School,
Lemon Grove Park, and the Hollywood YMCA. The “Teach Ins” on the Prevention of Underage Drinking and
Substance Abuse were conducted by experts from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles-Division of Adolescent Medicine.
