Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force

Mission
To reduce youth alcohol and substance abuse issues in our community through strategies that will reduce access to substances, prevent high-risk behaviors, connect community resources, and provide education opportunities.

Vision
A healthy community free from substance abuse

Reduce the "risk factors"

Examples of youth substance use risk factors:

Alcohol and other drugs being readily available
Community laws and norms that are favorable towards drug use
Parents use of drugs or tolerance of youth use
Students lacking commitment or sense of belonging in school
Youth perception that most of their friends/peers use
Starting to use at a young age

Increase the "protective factors"

Examples of youth substance use protective factors:

Strong bonds between youth and adults
Building the skills necessary for resisting pressures to use
Opportunities for youth to have meaningful involvement in the community
Recognition of youth achievement
Clear rules that youth substance use is not acceptable, and consistently enforced consequences for substance use

2017 Youth Summit from Prevention Works from Absolute Video on Vimeo.

We had an incredible time at the 2017 Live Energized: Live Above the Influence Youth Summit! Over 140 teens and adults throughout the community came out to learn about how to live above the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Thank you to all the community partners who made this youth leadership conference a success!

2016 community report

Alcohol community report

marijuana community report

prescription drugs community report

e-cigarettes & Vaping community report

Prevention Works Marihuana Lunch and Learn 2017 from Absolute Video on Vimeo.

The Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force hosted a Lunch and Learn on the recent changes to the Michigan Medical Marijuana laws allowing for medical marijuana dispensaries in the community. In attendance were over 70 local elected officials!

"Properly disposing unused and unwanted medications helps to protect the environment. It also helps to protect our community against prescription abuse, addiction, and accidental or intentional overdose."
- RED MED BOX