Breathe Clear Coalition Awarded Federal Drug-Free Communities Grant to Prevent Youth Substance Use in Bexar County

 

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — September 2026 — The Breathe Clear Coalition, a community coalition supported by the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness (SACADA), has been awarded a federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to strengthen efforts to prevent and reduce youth substance use in San Antonio and Bexar County, with a particular focus on tobacco, nicotine, vaping and e-cigarettes. 

DFC-funded coalitions bring together representatives from across the community to identify local challenges and implement strategies that address the conditions contributing to youth substance use. A key part of Breathe Clear Coalition’s success has been its partnership with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and other community organizations committed to improving the health and well-being of young people. Through the DFC grant, the coalition will build upon these partnerships and expand its work to achieve sustainable community-level change. 

“Breathe Clear Coalition is grateful for the support of ONDCP and CDC and our many community partners,” said Kathy Shields, Public Health Administrator for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. “This grant allows us to build on the work already underway and continue moving prevention beyond programs and education toward lasting community-level change. By bringing together youth, families, schools, public health, local leaders and other community sectors, we can address the conditions that influence substance use and create healthier environments for young people throughout our community.” 

Rather than focusing solely on individual behavior, Breathe Clear Coalition will continue working to improve the broader environments in which young people live, learn, and grow. This includes using local data to identify emerging concerns, increasing youth and community engagement, strengthening prevention policies and practices, increasing awareness of the risks associated with youth tobacco, nicotine and THC use, and supporting community-driven strategies that make healthy, substance-free choices easier for young people. 

“Prevention is one of the most important investments we can make in the health and future of our young people,” said Abigail Moore, CEO of SACADA. “Our work is focused on creating and sustaining community conditions that support young people and their families.” 

For more information about Breathe Clear Coalition and SACADA, visit SACADA.org. 

Abigail Moore, CEO
San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness (SACADA)   210-225-4741  AMoore@sacada.org ###