Grant will support local youth substance use prevention activities

Prevention activities through the Be Well Coalition here in Crook County just got a boost to the tune of $125,000 a year for the next five to ten years.

Earlier this year, the county commissioners supported the Be Well Coalition in applying for one of the 100 Drug Free Communities grants to be awarded in 2023 throughout the entire country.

Last week, an official reward notice was received, confirming that the coalition received the grant.

“There has definitely been some celebration around this news, it will help us to strengthen and grow the Be Well Coalition with the goal of achieving a reduction in local youth substance use, with specific focus on alcohol and nicotine,” said Katie Allen, Community Prevention Specialist.

“Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, DFC-funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of environmental strategies to address local substance use problems.”

DFCs involve local communities in finding solutions and also help youth at risk for substance use, recognizing the majority of our nation’s youth choose not to use substances. As demonstrated by independent evaluations, the DFC Support Program significantly reduces substance use amongst youth, the target population, according to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The mission of the Be Well Coalition is “decreasing substance misuse and suicide through engaging, educating and empowering Crook County residents to make lifelong and responsible choices for their health.”

Local problems need local solutions and, as a DFC coalition, we will have more tools to work with to help our kids make healthier decisions when it comes to substance use.

Our existing coalition is growing and we are always on the lookout for more members who are interested in what we do. For more information on the Be Well Coalition, please visit http://www.crookcountyprevention.com.