Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
Mission: Using our collective resources to prevent and reduce substance abuse with youth and families in Ohio County.
Vision: Ohio County will be a safe and drug-free community in which to live, work and raise our families.
Coalition History: In 2003, a group of concerned citizens came together and decided to work towards substance abuse prevention. The group later received grant funding to address these issues and now includes members from all parts of the community. OCSAPC continues to organize and implement effective prevention strategies as directed by concerned citizens of Ohio County.
Strategic Prevention Focus: The coalition utilizes strategies that change norms, regulations and availability of alcohol and drugs in Ohio County. A few of our prevention strategies include:
- Community-based meetings and forums
- Social marketing campaigns to raise awareness of substance abuse issues
- Prevention education in Ohio County Schools
- Partnering with the Wheeling Police Department to implement underage drinking compliance checks
Staff & Funding: As of May 2010, the coalition currently has a full-time Project Coordinator and Community Educator on staff. The coalition is funded by a Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) and the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. Youth Services System, Inc. serves as the fiscal & administrative agent to the coalition; the OCSAPC office is located in Room 450 of the YSS Hazel-Atlas Building at 87 Fifteenth Street, Wheeling, WV 26003.