We can assist you in planning and implementing targeted efforts to reduce substance misuse and other risky behaviors. Feel free to contact us to discuss ways we can assist you.

We believe that early intervention is critical to reduce the development of a substance use disorder. Through collaboration with local community stakeholders, we work to strengthen a positive social norm and atmosphere that promotes health, wellness and resilience.

• COLLABORATION

  COMMUNITY COALITIONS

  A coalition is a group of individuals and or organizations with a common interest who agree to work together toward a common goal. That goal could be as narrow as obtaining funding for a specific intervention, or as broad as trying to improve permanently the overall quality of life for most people in the community.

  Coalitions may be varied, but often contain elements of one or more of the following:

  • Influencing or developing public policy, usually around a specific issue
  • Changing people’s behavior (for instance reducing smoking or drug use)

  To learn more about collaboratives click below:

  • Coalitions
  • Stakeholders
  • Technical Assistance

  FIND YOUR LOCAL WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA COALITION

• COMMUNITY

  Environmental strategies are those tools that target population change, rather than focusing on the individual. Say an individual chooses to make positive changes in their lives (ex. stop smoking). Yet they live in a community where the community norm is the opposite (many people smoke). This type of environment makes it difficult for the individual to be successful. Environmental strategies support the community in creating a norm focusing on health. An example of a NC environmental strategy was promoting seatbelt use in order to prevent fatalities.  They did this by passing a state law mandating use.

  Below are some of the environmental strategies we use:

  • Alcohol Sellers and Servers Training-(works to decrease sales to minors and those who are intoxicated)
  • Merchant Education-alcohol or tobacco (informs merchants about laws and provides tools to educate staff)
  • Policy/Practice change-Drug Free workplace, Tobacco Free Parks
  • Communication Campaigns-Mountain Strong

• ALTERNATIVES

  • Advocate & encourage youth leadership
  • Advocate & encourage substance free activities