“This is the first opportunity for people from all across Winston County to come together for the purpose of youth substance abuse prevention,” said Dawn McInnish, coalition coordinator. “Winston County has been given a substantial grant as part of the Alabama Unified Prevention System, and the wonderful aspect of this grant is that our own people have a real say in the programs and plans implemented for this grant money.”

Already there have been community meetings in three of the county’s five high schools. Due to holidays, meetings at Haleyville and Winston County high schools have yet to be scheduled, but will be set as soon as possible.

“It has been very interesting visiting each community to discuss the needs in that particular area,” said McInnish. “But it is now time to begin bringing all parts of the county together. This is not a meeting just for teachers or just for parents or just for law enforcement. It is for anyone who shares the growing concern about substance abuse among youth. Particularly, we hope there is good attendance from the business community, especially businesses that employ youth. We hope there will be a good attendance from all at the meeting on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. at the Courthouse in Double Springs.”

Winston County is one of six counties in the Alabama Unified Prevention System program, and the county has been given the chance to take almost a full year to determine how best to utilize almost $600,000 over the next three years. Coalition members will have access to research and data already collected in the effort to best plan the spending of the funds.

Among items to be discussed at the meeting are an overview of AUPS, introduction of advisory board members in attendance, and election of Coalition officers.