The holiday season is nigh, and with it are days and nights of happy holiday celebration. To enjoy the company of family and friends during holiday celebrations is a privilege—one that can be stolen by the risk of driving under the influence. As a three-year member of the Alto High School Drug-Free Council, it is important to me that you are aware of the dire consequences of drunk driving during the holidays in order to keep yourself and your community safe during times of ce

At their October meeting, the Drug-Free All Stars toured the Angelina County Jail and received training to participate in alcohol compliance checks. The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County are a group of high school seniors that serve as role models for the community by living an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free life. The program, in partnership with TxDOT, works to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities on Texas roadways. During the jail tour, the All Stars learned about

Red Ribbon Week is filled with fun activities and school spirit, but the meaning behind the week is more important. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running prevention campaign, reminding students that choosing to be drug- and alcohol-free can make a difference in their future. As a member of the Drug-Free All Stars, I believe it’s important for parents to understand why schools host Red Ribbon Week activities. Parents have a significant influence on their

The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County, funded by a grant from TxDOT, recently held their September meeting at Lufkin Parks and Recreation. During the meeting, the Drug-Free All Stars planned campus activities for the year, focusing on substance use prevention campaigns and awareness. Special thanks to Rudy Flores, Deputy Director of Recreation, and former Drug-Free All Star, for speaking with the All Stars on the importance of their involvement with the program. Thank yo

The Coalition is pleased to announce the 2026-2027 Drug-Free All Stars for Angelina County. The Drug-Free All Stars are a group of high school seniors from Angelina County who are selected to serve as role models for their community by living an alcohol, drug, and tobacco-free lifestyle. Drug-Free All Stars are active through the school year volunteering in the community to promote a healthy and drug-free lifestyle. Recently, the Drug-Free All Stars attended training on the t

The Coalition, Inc. has partnered with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department in an effort to prevent and reduce the harmful use of tobacco products in rural areas like East Texas, where tobacco-related health problems are more prevalent. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Department targeted area businesses that sell tobacco. The age limit to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is now 21, per the guidelines from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Out of

Kim Simmons, Director of Prevention at the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council, and Sharon Kruk, Executive Director of The Coalition, Inc., receive Community Partnership Award from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission recognized two Deep East Texas prevention leaders at its Annual Prevention Providers’ Meeting, a statewide gathering of prevention specialists dedicated to building healthier communities. Sharon Kruk, Exec

In an effort to decrease the consequences of alcohol purchased by minors, The Coalition, Inc. partnered with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) to conduct alcohol compliance checks, with funding from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, juveniles under the legal age to drink/purchase alcohol are used as decoys to enter businesses that are licensed to

With the help of community sponsors, The Coalition, Inc. presented scholarships to seven outstanding Angelina County Drug-Free All Stars. The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County, funded by a grant from TxDOT, are high school seniors in Angelina County who serve as role models in the community throughout the year. Seven Drug-Free All Stars were honored for their commitment to promoting a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle to their community and their involvement in the program

Throughout this school year, the All Stars volunteered their time at local events throughout Angelina County and helped spread awareness about drug and alcohol prevention. Thank you to Justin Holland, a recovery support peer specialist at the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council for talking to the All Stars about maintaining their substance-free lifestyle and continuing the good choices they have made this year. Collectively, this group of motivated students volunteered over 1,

The Drug-Free Council of Alto High School, funded by a grant from TxDOT, recently participated in the annual Project Sticker Shock campaign covering Angelina, Polk and Southern Cherokee County. Project Sticker Shock is a community awareness campaign that aims to make adults aware of the dangers and consequences of providing alcohol to minors. The Alto High School Drug-Free Council members stickered packages of alcohol at Brookshire Brothers #22 + Tobacco Barn (425 N Main St)

The Coalition, Brookshire Brothers Pharmacy, Angelina Beautiful/Clean and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department are partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25. The Drug Take Back Day is an opportunity to prevent medicine abuse and theft by safely discarding expired, unused, and unwanted medications. Bring your medicine for disposal to the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department at 2311 E. Lufkin Avenue, Lufkin

The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County, funded by a grant from TxDOT, are a group of high school seniors that serve as role models for the community by living an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free life. For their recent meeting, the Drug-Free All Stars visited Woodland Heights Medical Center and heard from Stephen Bennett, Director of Emergency Services. Mr. Bennett talked to the students about the impact drugs and alcohol have on the day to day operations in the Emergency R

The Drug-Free Council of Leggett High School, funded by a grant from TxDOT, recently participated in the annual Project Sticker Shock campaign covering Angelina, Polk and Southern Cherokee County . Project Sticker Shock is a community awareness campaign that aims to make adults aware of the dangers and consequences of providing alcohol to minors. The Leggett High School Drug-Free Council members stickered packages of alcohol at multiple locations in Livingston, including Ch

In an effort to decrease the consequences of alcohol purchased by minors, The Coalition, Inc. partnered with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) to conduct alcohol compliance checks, with funding from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, juveniles under the legal age to drink/purchase alcohol are used as decoys to enter businesses that are licensed to

On Saturday, March 28, from 9:00AM – 11:00AM, The Coalition and other community partners will be hosting Color Me Drug-Free: An Obstacle Challenge Course , to celebrate and encourage students to live a healthy and substance-free life. Participants will make their way through an obstacle course filled with fun challenges, but watch out! Color will be flying to mark students drug-free!The first 50 participants will receive a FREE t-shirt (white) that can be worn during the even

The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County, funded by a grant from TxDOT, recently completed their annual event, Project Sticker Shock. The Project Sticker Shock campaign is aimed at preventing underage drinking by reminding adults not to provide alcohol for minors. The 71 Drug-Free All Stars stickered over 30 grocery and convenience stores throughout Angelina County to help prevent underage alcohol use. The Coalition, Inc. and the Drug-Free All Stars would like to thank Bro

The Drug-Free Council of Wells High School, funded by a grant from TxDOT, recently participated in the annual Project Sticker Shock campaign covering Angelina, Polk and Southern Cherokee County . Project Sticker Shock is a community awareness campaign that aims to make adults aware of the dangers and consequences of providing alcohol to minors. The Wells High School Drug-Free Council members stickered packages of alcohol at the Brookshire Brothers Express outside of Wells,

The Coalition recently held its annual Drug-Free Business Partnership luncheon to recognize businesses in the community that value drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free workplaces. The luncheon featured Nicole Holt, Chief Executive Officer at Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth. Ms. Holt shared information regarding super-sized and highly sweetened alcohol drinks, their impact on youth, and community involvement in preventing the use of these drinks by young people. The Coalition

For the Drug-Free All Star October meeting, the All Stars toured the Angelina County Jail and received training to participate in alcohol compliance checks. The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County are a group of high school seniors that serve as role models for the community by living an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free life. The Drug-Free All Star program, in partnership with TxDOT, aims to reduce crashes, injuries and death on Texas roadways. The All Stars saw first-hand