SAN DIEGO-TIJUANA BORDER INITIATIVE Drug-Free Border Coalition Kaare S. Kjos Executive Director

Our Mission Binational nonprofit organization (501(C) (3)/A.C.) created in 1995 Promote closer collaboration among social and community service providers in the region with the specific intent of developing institution, programs, and public policy for issues of equal importance to both sides of the border

Service Area

Demographics Most populated region along the border with a combined population of nearly 5 million, mostly urban High growth rate FOR MORE INFO... See and

Impacts Economic Environmental Social

Risk Factors/Common Drugs Easy access to drugs, migration, family disintegration, cultural clashes Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy/Club Drugs, Cocaine, and Heroin

Back In 1998… Binational Surveys conducted to determine common priorities –Public Health, Youth, Substance Abuse, Sustainable Development Experts from Tijuana/San Diego invited to advise on how best to handle these issues

Recommendations Binational Workshops and Conferences to better understand the issues Sept. 1998, Jan. 2000, Nov. 2000, Dec. 2001, Dec. 2002, Dec. 2003, Nov. 2004

Conclusions Reached The following conclusions were reached after the 3 rd workshop in 2001 –Share a common drug problem –It makes sense to address this problem together, as partners, rather than separately –Need to formalize /institutionalize our efforts

Binational Workgroup 2001 Group met monthly alternatively in San Diego and Tijuana beginning in January Post 9/11 meeting location changed FOR MORE INFO... See

Meetings At The International Border Fence

Drug-Free Border Coalition Created in Spring 2001 Mission: To reduce substance abuse in the San Diego-Tijuana region by linking and supporting groups and individuals engaged in prevention on both sides of the border

Strategic Plan/Core Strategies Developed strategic plan with 6 core strategies and accompanying objectives 1. Identify and facilitate the sharing of information - Develop a bilingual information clearinghouse/resource center - Eliminate duplication of resources and materials

Strategic Plan/Core Strategies 2.Provide linkages and support for training and technical assistance - Facilitate training and technical assistance - Develop a Binational Fellows Program

Strategic Plan/Core Strategies 3. Increase awareness of substance abuse and impacts - Organize or co-sponsor binational events - Develop binational indicators of substance abuse - Facilitate mapping of risk and protective (R&P) factors in Tijuana

Strategic Plan/Core Strategies 4. Engage communities in substance abuse prevention - Facilitate cross-border collaboration 5. Develop, focus and channel resources to support binational prevention efforts - Identify funding sources for participating organizations

Strategic Plan/Core Strategies 6. Strengthen the DFBC -Hold monthly meetings -Issue monthly information bulletins

“Shopping List” 1. Bilingual Manual of Substance Abuse Prevention Capacity Building 2. Cinco de Mayo Con Orgullo (2 projects) 3. Border-health Research Collaborative (BRC)

“Shopping List” 4. Anecdotal Education for Mexican Migrants 5. Bilingual Newsletter 6. Binational Prevention Information Clearinghouse (BPIC) 7. Safety Education and Training for Hispanic Workers in the Agricultural Industry

“Shopping List” 8. Cross-Border Diabetes Education Project 9. Binational Fellows Program