By William H. Kelly III
(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University’s (JSU) Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition (MJCPC) was awarded $306,749.92 via the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Grant from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services. The amount is a $2,000 increase from last year’s funding.
“We’re very thankful to receive funding from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health once again. It has been a true blessing to educate our youth and community about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs,” said MJCPC Director and Principal Investigator Henry Thompson.
The funding applies to the 2024-2025 fiscal year, making it 33 years for the MJCPC to receive funding from the Department of Mental Health in substance abuse prevention to continue its work in the Jackson Metropolitan area. The grant aids the coalition in offering its services to local schools, colleges, and communities.
During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the MJCPC held its annual Prom Promise event on the JSU campus for the first time. The occasion encouraged local high school students to make safe and informed decisions as they celebrate prom season, and featured a special performance by International Hip-Hop artist and Trumpeter Dear Silas. It was supported by the hashtag #PleaseComeHomeonMonday.
According to LawsforKids.org, 27% of fatal teen motor vehicle accidents in 2013 occurred in April, May, and June, accounting for the deaths of 676 teenagers during the peak of prom season. Additionally, out of all vehicle deaths involving a teenager, 54% occurred on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicated that the estimated number of U.S. residents ages 16 years and older who drove under the influence in the past year was:
- 18.5 million for alcohol (7.2% of respondents ages 16 years and older),
- 11.7 million for marijuana (4.5% of respondents ages 16 years and older), and
- 2.4 million for illicit drugs other than marijuana (0.9% of respondents ages 16 years and older).
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health for our work. I think it’s a testament to the great work the Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition staff has done throughout the years,” said Senior Prevention Specialist Pamela McCoy, DrPH. “Our youth need the prevention messages that we provide them with because oftentimes they don’t know how detrimental drugs and alcohol can be to their bodies.”
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