C.H.A.N.C.E. [Change, Hope, Action, New Beginning, Commitment, Endure]: Staying healthy for life

Young adults in impoverished areas face many challenges including alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD), which put them at high risk for diseases, criminal system involvement, and premature death. While community and school-based ATOD prevention programs address these issues in youth, young adults tend to be overlooked since they have aged out of the usual program delivery venues. Young adults aged 19 to 21 years old, enrolled in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program at the Provisional Accelerated Learning (PAL) Center located in a Southern California low income community reported that one of their biggest challenges to successful program completion were issues surrounding a prevalent ATOD culture. In response MPH graduate students conducted a needs and assets assessment that included windshield surveys, literature reviews, site observations, theory-based semi-structured interviews, and a confirmatory focus group. Data were coded, themed and analyzed using Grounded Theory methods. Results indicate that young adults learn about ATOD and its effects from peers and family members, in essence from informal and non-trustworthy sources that are often part of a dominant street culture. They receive mixed messages about the short and long-term effects of drug use and are unclear about potential health and social consequences. This lack of accurate knowledge is compounded by pressure to participate in drug-related activities due to economic hardship. Per request of these young adults we developed, implemented and evaluated a pilot program that was tailored to their life circumstances. We will present program results including sustainability challenges in times of uncertain economics.