The Get SMART West Baltimore Drug Free Community Coalition is a community initiative aimed at eliminating, delaying, and reducing alcohol and marijuana use among youth and adults in West Baltimore. The coalition consists of various stakeholders, including parents, educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and government representatives. It was established in 2016 with a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is led by Morgan State University School of Community Health and Policy.
The coalition’s goals are to prevent and reduce underage alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use among youth and to address the factors in the community that contribute to substance abuse among adults. They employ the “Strategic Prevention Framework” outlined by SAMHSA to bring about community and environmental level change. This includes implementing prevention programs, organizing community forums, conducting awareness campaigns, and advocating for policy changes related to alcohol and substance use.
The coalition works through committees and collaborates with various stakeholders to reduce the access and supply of alcohol and drugs in the community. They also focus on educating youth, families, teachers, and others about the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse. The coalition aims to build capacity and provide resources for community-level change in West Baltimore, recognizing the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on individuals, families, and communities.
The West Baltimore Get SMART Drug Free Coalition (DFC) faces a variety of unique problems in the areas it operates. These areas, which are part of Baltimore’s Transformation Zones, deal with significant difficulties like high crime rates, including homicides, nonfatal shootings, burglaries, car thefts, and gunfire incidents. Additionally, these zones are known for their risky environments, unequal education opportunities, concentrated poverty, and limited housing options.
The coalition specifically tackles the issues commonly found in neighborhoods with limited opportunities. These include high rates of unemployment, low levels of preparedness for education, concerns about public safety, insufficient transportation choices, and the existence of food deserts. Moreover, there are around 112 places that sell liquor within the areas covered by the Get SMART DFC, which poses an extra challenge to the coalition’s efforts.
Planning, executing, and overseeing a comprehensive digital marketing campaign. This campaign aims to effectively connect with and engage the following target audience groups:
- Youth aged between 12 to 17 years old
- Parents / Caregivers
- Teachers / Community Organizers
Aiden Marketing designed and developed the Get SMART DFC website, which can be accessed at http://getsmartdfc.com.
- Evaluating the current state of the website and making necessary upgrades and updates to the software.
- Technical support and resolve any issues that may arise.
- Monitor system backups and ensure the website’s security software is up to date.
- Develop a tailored social media strategy to effectively engage with the younger demographic in Baltimore, MD
- Manage social media platforms through the creation, sharing, and interaction with content across different channels.
- Implement targeted social media ads directed at specific youth demographics in the DFC zip codes
- Host interactive online competitions and activities to encourage user-generated content such as videos, artwork, PSAs, music, etc.
- Recruit young individuals to participate in the West Baltimore DFC Youth Coalition as representatives
- Aid in the recruitment and retention of DFC sector members
- Utilize email marketing to disseminate DFC updates and promote community resources
- Produce and distribute blog posts that are pertinent to the DFC’s projects and objectives
The creation, development, maintenance, support, and enhancement of a website. This entails incorporating a new section dedicated specifically to addressing matters related to COVID-19. The website, known as the Get SMART DFC website, was designed and developed by Aiden Marketing and is accessible at http://getsmartdfc.com. As part of this new contract proposal, we will be including up to 3 additional pages and content to the website, as requested by the client. Our services will also encompass evaluating the current state of the site and providing the following:
• Upgrading and updating any software to the latest version available.
• Extensive technical support and resolution of any issues.
• Regular monitoring of system backups and website security software.
• Incorporating any improvements to the site that we believe will enhance visitor engagement.
– Devise a tailor-made social media strategy to effectively engage with the younger population in Baltimore, MD.
– Manage social media platforms through the creation, sharing, and interaction of content across different channels.
– Implement targeted social media ads directed at specific youth demographics in the DFC zip codes.
– Foster youth participation by organizing interactive online competitions and activities that encourage user-generated content such as videos, artwork, music, and PSAs.
– Recruit young individuals to become representatives of the West Baltimore DFC Youth Coalition.
– Aid in the recruitment and retention of DFC sector members.
– Utilize email marketing to disseminate DFC updates and promote community resources.
– Develop and distribute blog posts that align with the DFC’s projects and objectives.
– Foster engagement with the younger audience by curating content that resonates with their interests and preferences.
– Employ data analytics to monitor the performance of social media initiatives and optimize strategies for better results.
