| About the Coalition |
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A community coalition is an alliance of local groups who share a desire to create positive change in their community. Such groups band together to solve problems and make their community a safer, healthier, and happier place for all to live. There are thousands of coalitions across the country working to improve the quality of life in their communities. Community change usually starts with a meeting of the minds. When people come together, real community improvements can be achieved. Everyone who wants to improve a situation gets together and commits to a shared mission, a set of goals, and an action plan. Here is a sampling of some of the initiatives currently in progress in various cities around the country: � After school education programs � Adult/youth mentoring programs � Neighborhood watch programs in collaboration with law enforcement agencies � Prevention of underage access to alcohol and tobacco � Creation of safe and drug-free youth centers � Faith-based youth programs � Collaboration with businesses to create drug-free workplaces and responsible beverage service programs to reduce drunk driving incidents � Parenting education programs � Development of youth-led neighborhood improvement programs � Drug-related crime prevention programs |
| What exactly is a community coalition? |
| What kinds of problems do community coalitions work on? |
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Alcohol is the #1 drug of choice among our Nation�s youth. 1 in 4 eighth graders reported drinking within the past month. 18% have gotten drunk at least once in the past year. 75% say that alcohol is easy to get. Youth drug use cuts across all ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic lines. Youth experience pressure to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs at increasingly early ages. The 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse states that among 12 and 13 year olds, 3.8% reported current illegal drug use. For young people, alcohol is the number one drug of choice. In fact, teens use alcohol more frequently and heavily than all other illicit drugs combined. Teens who use alcohol are more likely to become sexually active at earlier ages and to have unprotected sex than teens who do not drink. Young people who drink are more likely to have problems with school work and school conduct. An individual who begins drinking as a young teen is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who waits until adulthood to use alcohol. More than 100,000 12 to 13 year olds binge drink every month. One out of every five kids in eighth grade has already tried marijuana. Use of substances such as marijuana and inhalants can result in social and physical consequences. Teens who smoke cigarettes are more likely to drink alcohol. Teens who smoke and drink are more likely to use marijuana and those who use all three are more likely to use other illicit drugs. Statistics show that many parents still underestimate how often their kids are exposed to drugs. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 18% of parents think that their child has tried marijuana versus 40% of teens who say they have tried marijuana; 37% of parents believe their teen has been offered drugs versus 54% of teens who say that they have been offered drugs; 5% of parents think that their child has abused inhalants versus 21% of teens who say they have abused inhalants. |
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