Champions for a Drug-Free Pendleton County Coalition where the Family and Consumer Science Agent participates as an executive board member. 
Reporting Period: October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024

During this reporting period, the Champions for a Drug-Free Pendleton County Coalition achieved significant milestones, engaging the community through diverse activities aimed at combating substance use and promoting overall wellness. The Coalition logged 120 outputs across several focus areas, with an emphasis on addressing Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD).

Key Accomplishments and Activities

Community Actions and Changes

• 6 community actions, 4 of which focused on marijuana.
• 1 community change targeting marijuana.

Services Provided

• Delivered 41 services to 3,519 individuals, with 42% focused on youth tobacco use.

Media Outputs

• Produced 16 media outputs, generating 424,037 media impressions, with 31% focused on adult tobacco use and 31% on social-emotional learning.

Resource Generation

• Recorded $58,552 in resources, including $37,172 in volunteer time and $21,380 in in-kind donations.

Organizational Improvements

• Achieved 18 organizational improvements, including obtaining 501(c) nonprofit status and selecting a board of directors.

Long-Term Impact: Five-Year Focus

Over the past five years, the Coalition has concentrated on addressing ATOD issues, particularly underage drinking.

• 76% of community changes and 44% of community actions targeted underage drinking.
• 81% of services provided addressed either general ATOD (41%) or youth tobacco use (40%).
• 42% of media efforts and 56% of resources generated supported general ATOD initiatives.

2023–2024 Successes

• Champions officially became a registered 501(c) nonprofit organization.
• Appointed as the advisory body for local opioid abatement fund management.
• Expanded focus on sustainability beyond DFC funding.
• Increased emphasis on social-emotional learning by 20% since 2023.
• Held the inaugural meeting of the Coalition’s first board of directors.
• Collaborated with the Pendleton County Board of Education, which prohibited medical cannabis administration on school property, in anticipation of legalization in 2025.
• Partnered to support renovations for sober living houses in Pendleton County.
• Facilitated ballot inclusion for citizen votes on medical cannabis dispensaries in Pendleton and Falmouth counties.
• Enhanced environmental strategies by 5% since 2023.

Community Engagement Highlights

• Hosted the Back to Class Color Blast and Color Run.
• Co-hosted the Break the Burnout Mental Health Summit.
• Held an awards banquet for the Sources of Strength program.
• Organized Kindness Day, led by Sources of Strength peer leaders.
• Conducted tobacco education classes for students violating school tobacco policies.
• Sponsored the Animal Shelter Awareness event as part of a Generosity campaign.
• Delivered presentations to Pendleton school district student-athletes on the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, nicotine, and opioids.

Through these efforts, Champions for a Drug-Free Pendleton County has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to reducing substance use and enhancing the well-being of its community. Looking ahead, the Coalition remains focused on sustainability, collaboration, and continued progress in fostering a healthier, drug-free Pendleton County.