Florida's New Lifeline: A Strategic Bet on Young Adults in the Opioid War

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – July 20, 2026 – In a targeted strike against a persistent public health crisis, Daytona Beach-based nonprofit Foundations to Freedom has launched a new substance use disorder (SUD) program specifically designed for young adults aged 18 to 24. Made possible by a significant grant from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), the initiative represents a strategic shift toward early intervention during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions.

A County at a Crossroads

For years, Volusia County has been a focal point of Florida's struggle with substance abuse. While recent data offers a glimmer of hope—a 25% drop in accidental overdose deaths in 2024 compared to the previous year—the context remains grim. The county is still recovering from a 2021 peak that saw fatal overdose rates nearly double the statewide average. Fentanyl continues to be a devastating force, implicated in 67% of the county's overdose fatalities in 2024.

This new program arrives at a critical juncture, addressing a demographic that often falls through the cracks. Data from the 2024 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey confirms that substance use, including alcohol, marijuana, and vaping, is an established reality for many of Volusia's high school students. As these adolescents transition into adulthood, they often lose the structured support of school-based services precisely when their risks can escalate. The 18-to-24 age range is a period of profound change—in education, housing, employment, and healthcare—that can either be a foundation for a stable future or a period of instability that fosters addiction.

Bridging the Gap with Tailored Support

Foundations to Freedom’s initiative is engineered to bridge this very gap. It moves beyond a singular focus on sobriety to offer a holistic suite of services designed to build self-sufficient, resilient lives. The program integrates individualized case management, peer support from those with lived experience, and recovery coaching with practical life skills training. Recognizing that stability is key to recovery, the program also provides direct support for workforce development and education, helping participants build a future they are invested in protecting.

This model acknowledges a fundamental truth about recovery: it is not merely the absence of substance use, but the presence of opportunity, purpose, and community. By embedding life skills and career support directly into the recovery process, the program aims to empower young adults to overcome barriers and achieve long-term independence. This comprehensive strategy is a direct response to a national trend where, in 2022, nearly half of young adults experienced a mental health or substance use issue, yet only a fraction received specialized treatment.

A Strategic Investment in Human Potential

The Florida DCF's decision to fund this program signals a strategic understanding that community-based, targeted interventions are essential for public health. It represents an investment not just in a nonprofit, but in a philosophy of proactive care. This philosophy is embodied by Foundations to Freedom's Founder and CEO, Katherine Russell, whose own journey of recovery from addiction informs the organization's compassionate, empowering mission.

"This program is about investing in young adults before a crisis defines their future," Russell stated. "We are incredibly grateful to the Florida Department of Children and Families for recognizing the need for specialized services for emerging adults. This investment allows us to meet young people where they are, provide evidence-informed support, and help them build lives rooted in recovery, resilience, and purpose."

Since its founding in 2022, the organization has rapidly expanded from a single house to a network of 11 recovery homes in Volusia County, a testament to the pressing need and the efficacy of its model. The new initiative will be steered by program leads Kayla Varvel and Zachary McCague, who are tasked with participant engagement and fostering the crucial community collaborations that underpin the program's success.

Weaving a Stronger Community Fabric

Foundations to Freedom is not operating in a vacuum. The new program is designed to integrate seamlessly with a robust network of existing community partners, including SMA Healthcare, the Volusia Recovery Alliance, local law enforcement, and educational institutions. This collaborative approach ensures that young adults receive coordinated care that addresses the full spectrum of their needs, from acute medical and behavioral health services to long-term social and economic support.

By strengthening the safety net for one of the community's most vulnerable populations, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect of positive change. It is a long-term strategy that improves lives not just by preventing overdoses, but by cultivating a new generation of stable, productive, and healthy citizens within Volusia County.