Drug Free Community Coalition
The Summit County Drug Free Community Coalition (DFCC) is a public health policy working group that aims to reduce substance abuse among Summit County residents and diminish substance use among our youth population. The Drug Free Community Coalition works toward this goal through rewarding and promoting community focused activities and limiting risk factors that affect our youth. These efforts include multiple sectors of the community and several projects. Currently, the Drug Free Community Coalition is working on the following projects: a youth center for Summit County students, Dialogue over Dinner, TIPS trainings for servers of alcohol, developing a new minor in possession curriculum, creating healthy and family- friendly community events, and promoting individual choices to encourage a healthy lifestyle for our young adult population.
Become a Drug Free Community Coalition member
The DFCC is always looking for enthusiastic new members. The only criterion for becoming a member is for an individual to be passionate about promoting a healthy community. Many members are passionate about a specific project and dedicate much of their time to that effort. The entire coalition meets for breakfast the second Tuesday of every month and each working group meets at the member’s convenience .
Community Events
The DFCC is working with Summit County town event planners to create community policies that allow for healthy, family- friendly events. The DFCC has recommended that every community event mandates that volunteers participate in a safe alcohol serving class, promotes a designated drinking area, and limits the sample size of beverages.
Minor In Possession Curriculum
In the United States, a Minor in Possession, or a MIP, is a criminal offense, typically a misdemeanor. Anyone who is under the age of 21 and possesses alcohol in the United States, with the exception of special circumstances, is violating the law of the state. Penalties for MIP’s vary significantly from state-to-state. The DFCC has been diligently working towards creating a meaningful minor in possession curriculum . The DFCC is currently creating a three week course that will require parental attendance. This class will involve, family therapists, substance abuse counselors, and law enforcement.