To increase community awareness of youth substance abuse and mental health and take action to encourage and support a safe school environment, family involvement, responsible student choices, and community commitment.
Coalition for Youth and Families coalition members care deeply for, and about, the youth in our community. They strive to create a healthier and happier Columbia County.
When we focus on improving the health of our community, we can all come together around a common goal and a unified vision of prevention. The coalition strives to provide youth and community members with healthy options that may deter them from using alcohol and other drugs.
Education is essential to our coalition work because education is key to the growth and development of our youth. Those who don’t know or learn a better way will repeat or begin the path of poor choices which will lead to the disintegration of self, family, and community.
By working toward the common goal of substance abuse prevention and education, we ensure the safety of all members of the community. Our law enforcement partners strive to create a safe environment for all of the members of our community, and especially for our youth.
We use research to combat misinformation- about marijuana and other drugs. The field of Prevention Science is constantly growing and our coalition makes an effort to always be bettering ourselves and using the best strategies possible.
The coalition strives to value every family. We offer the kinds of programs that encourage all families of every social and economic status to participate in parent skill-building to help our kids become resistant to experimenting in harmful substances and behaviors.
"The mission of the Coalition is to promote and support a healthy and safe environment, free from alcohol,
tobacco, and other drug misuse, violence, and related social issues affecting our youth and families."
Kristen Thorstenson
Kristen_Thorstenson@co.columbia.wa.us
509-382-2181
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