HELPING OUR YOUTH LIVE HEALTHY, DRUG-FREE LIVES
WHO WE ARE
The Coalition is a group of concerned citizens and parents intent on keeping the youth of our community drug free. The organization was established in 1988 by the local district attorney and superintendents of the six school districts in Angelina County who saw drugs as a problem and wanted a county-wide prevention program. The current board includes law enforcement, local county government, businesses, community leaders, parents and youth.
As part of The Coalition’s grant funding, our focus is centered on creating environmental changes in our community rather than individual changes in each community member. With this broader focus we can make lasting changes that will affect the larger population as well as future generations.
HISTORY AND AWARDS
The Coalition is one of the oldest community substance abuse prevention coalitions in the United States. We are one of 11 coalitions in the state to receive initial funding for community coalitions work in Texas, and one of only 3 coalitions in the state to receive federal drug-free community funding in 2000.
Our extra efforts to keep Texas youth safe and alcohol-free earned us the Jacqueline Saburido Award from Texas Department of Transportation.
Two of the Drug-Free All Stars participated in a film for SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) on youth organizing.
The Angelina County Say What group was recognized for their tobacco prevention efforts by the Texas School Safety Center at the 2019 Say What Summer Conference.
One of The Coalition's Drug-Free All Stars was recognized as the 2019 Regional Youth Advocate of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
EXTRAORDINARY OUTCOMES
Overall the middle and high school drug surveys show a steadily decreasing trend in underage drinking and marijuana use.
Meth and cocaine use are reported at statistically insignificant numbers, meaning they are, for the most part, irrelevant in the lives of Angelina County youth age 18 and below.
The Drug-Free All Star program was formed in 1993 and has trained more than 1,500 Angelina County youth as alcohol, tobacco and drug-free leaders in the community.
The City of Lufkin passed the Smoke-Free Lufkin ordinance in 2013, in large part because of the coordination of effort between all sectors of the community.
In response to the nationwide opioid epidemic, The Coalition assisted with the installation of two permanent prescription drug drop boxes in Angelina County (at the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the Diboll Police Department).
COMPONENTS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
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POLICY
Public policies can be designed to limit access to substances and decrease the problems associated with their use.
ENFORCEMENT
Many laws designed to reduce the problems of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use are often not enforced or not consistently enforced.
EDUCATION
The public must know the magnitude of the problem, as well as be informed of the laws and prevention strategies.
COMMUNICATION
Public perceptions about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs play a significant role.
COLLABORATION
Groups of people can have a greater impact than individuals working independently.
