Our 2005-6 Goals

We want to accomplish four things:

1. Fight to prevent/reduce teen substance abuse through a three -pronged effort:

Objective #1 - enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals who work with our teens;
Objective #2 - support coalition members and their strategies whenever & however possible; and,
Objective #3 - offer county-wide opportunities for young people to learn about the risks of substance abuse.

2. Strengthen our coalition infrastructure to facilitate developing and accomplishing our long-term goals.

3. Heighten public awareness, with an emphasis on the importance of communicating clear community and parental norms and attitudes about substance abuse

4. Measure, monitor and address the four core indicators of youth abuse of substances defined by the Governmental Performance Response Act (GPRA) as stated below:

• 30-day usage
• Age of onset
• Perception of Risk & Harm
• Perception of parental & community approval/disapproval
  

How will we get there? – Our 2005-6 Plans

• Co-Host & facilitate community forums in each of the Ulster County school districts
• Undertake a county-wide media campaign
• Offer prevention trainings (including training to implement model substance abuse prevention programs) for professionals working with young people
• Provide parents information, resources, training, and support
• Support the growth of local community coalitions
• Build community awareness by hosting events & programs and providing speakers and workshops for events others host through our free “Information Network”
• Develop an innovative arts-based, peer-to-peer prevention initiative