Scott County Coalition recognized by Governor Beebe

Pictured left to right are: State Crime Laboratory representative on the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council Richard Gallagher, SPF SIG Coordinator for Arkansas Jill Cox, Governor Mike Beebe, SCHEC Coordinator Melissa Gasaway, State Representative Terry Rice and Arkansas Drug Director Fran Flener.

On March 23, 2009 the Scott County Health and Education Coalition (SCHEC) was recognized by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe for their community efforts towards underage drinking. The governor honored the coalition's efforts for graduating from the CADCA National Coalition Academy. There were only six of the 18 SPF SIG subgrantee coalitions in Arkansas to do so. 

The coalition is collaborating with sectors in the community to prevent and reduce underage drinking. Their efforts include a mass media campaign, evidence based curriculums in grades six through nine, and information dissemination. 

The coalition is also working to educate the community about the need for policy change and stronger laws towards underage drinking. 

In the recent 2008 Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment date, 6th graders who said they had  used of alcohol over the past 30 days dropped over 50% since the coalitions efforts began. This is the lowest number in the past five years. In addition, the age of first use increased from 12.10 to 12.35 in 2008.  

According to the 2008 APNA, 75% of 10th graders are getting alcohol at their home or someone's else's home. 

The next meeting of the Scott County Health and Education Coalition will be on Wednesday, April 29th at 12:00 at the RMCC campus in Waldron. Lunch is provided. For more information contact Coordinator Melissa Gasaway at 479-207-4177 or check out the Coalition's website at www.scottcountycoalition.com.