Prevention Education
Our goal is to reduce underage drinking and marijuana use among 12-17 year olds in the Koreatown, Pico-Union and Westlake areas. These neighborhoods have a disproportionately high density of liquor stores, which is problematic for the community. Nearly half of the young adults we surveyed knew four or more friends that have used marijuana.
Prevention Education uses an “environmental” approach to substance abuse prevention. Our community organizers hit the streets for “knock-and-talks” with local storeowners, building partnerships that directly address retail access and alcohol availability. We also work with youth, parents and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) by providing prevention education workshops. These workshops increase alcohol and other drug knowledge, as well as develop open communication between youth and parents. The program discusses the social and societal pressures that lead to substance abuse, and provides participants the tools for building healthy families.
Through our work with local politicians, community groups and law enforcement agencies, we are working alongside neighborhoods to build safe and healthy communities. When safety measures and policies are effectively enforced, substance abuse and crime are curtailed.
Prevention Education is funded by Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC), a division of County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health.
- Area: 72 square miles
- Density: 38,214 people per square mile, among the highest densities for the city and county of Los Angeles
- Population: 117,756
- Mexican (35.3%) and Guatemalan (6.7%) are the most common ancestries.
- 70,181 (67.6%) of residents are foreign born.
- Mexico (36.8%) and El Salvador (17.2%) are the most common foreign places of birth.
- Median Household income: $26,757
- # of off-sale outlets (liquor stores, markets):99
- # of on-sale outlets (bars, restaurants):130
