HEALTHY CATTARAUGUS COUNTY: A DRUG FREE COALITION (HCC)
Our Goal: The reduction of
alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, problem gambling and other
high risk behaviors in the youth of Cattaraugus County.
How Accomplished:
- Development and implementation
of a long-term strategic plan
- Focus on changing the environment
in which youth live
- Work together for change at the
level of the unique community that is Cattaraugus County
Mission Statement: To assist
people in working together to create a community where all youth
can develop into caring, healthy and productive adults without
the problems created by substance abuse.
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In spring 2003, CAReS administered a survey called the Prevention
Needs Assessment in schools across Cattaraugus County. The results
of the survey point toward the need to work toward systematic
and comprehensive change in the county. Some results of the survey
of middle and high school students include:
- Over 62% of high school seniors
reported that have drank alcohol (more than a few sips) in the
last 30 days. This is compared to the national average of 44%.
- Over four of ten high school seniors
reported that they have binge drank (5 or more drinks in a row)
in the last two weeks compared to the national average of 26%.
- Certain characteristics of Cattaraugus
County increase the likelihood that youth will engage in problem
behaviors. These include alcohol and other drug abuse, delinquency
and violence. These characteristics also inhibit healthy youth
development. Those which were indicated to be unusually high
on the survey include:
- Adults convey messages that
are favorable to behavior such as underage drinking (allowing
drinking as long as they take the keys, purchasing alcohol
for high school graduation parties, condoning drinking parties
in the home or hill parties).
- Youth witnessing high levels
of crimes being committed by adults, including purchasing
alcohol for minors, drug dealing, violent behavior.
- Youth report that alcohol
and other drugs are easily accessed (easy to get).
- Youth report that most people,
including themselves, do not believe that they can make
a positive difference in their communities.
The results of the survey demonstrated
the need to begin to create a countywide drug free coalition.
In fall 2007, Cares, Inc. and the
Olean Area YMCA began to mobilize local law enforcement, local
government, youth serving agencies and faith based organizations
towards a goal of reducing underage drinking. This early coalition,
which was primarily represented by organizations in southeastern
Cattaraugus County, was called ACT on Underage Drinking Task Force
(A-Acknowledge; C-Change, T-Teach). The ACT focused on providing
information to officers and local policy makers on information
related to underage drinking. The task force also supported local
media campaigns related to underage drinking at prom and graduation
times.
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In the fall of 2009 the task force
made the decision to broaden its scope and took steps towards
developing Healthy Cattaraugus County: A Drug Free Coalition.
The newly formed coalition expanded its membership to include
all community sectors in an effort to ensure that all stakeholders
were represented. Since its first formal meeting in November
2009, the coalition has continued its efforts to assess local
conditions and build capacity. Several of its members participated
in the National Coalition Academy (NCA) in 2010, which was the
result of a partnership with NYS OASAS and the Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).
In November 2010, another local
coalition, Helping Hand Salamanca merged with HCC to create
a stronger, more broad-based coalition. Some of the specific
activities of HCC have included media campaigns, the initiation
of public policy change related to underage drinking, and town
hall and informational meetings throughout the county.
The coalition specifically is working
through a comprehensive process called the Strategic Prevention
Framework (SPF). This "framework" provides the coalition
with a proven process to take an in-depth look at the underlying
issues related to substance abuse and problem gambling among
youth in the county, develop a comprehensive long-term plan
for addressing those issues, put the plan in place, and evaluate
the plan's effectiveness. The plan will focus on strategies
that impact the community as a whole such as changes in laws,
increased law enforcement efforts, and media/marketing campaigns.
In March 2011, the coalition received
a substantial grant from New York State Office of Alcoholism
and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS). This funding will
allow HCC to greatly enhance its efforts.
For more information or to learn
how to get involved, contact Catherine Eade, Community Coalition
Coordinator, at 716-373-5202 ext. 513, or via email at ceade@councilonaddiction.org.
For more information on the Strategic
Prevention Framework visit the CADCA website at www.cadca.org.
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