OUR IMPACT
Building a Healthier, Drug-Free Monroe County
Since its founding, the Monroe County Coalition for Drug-Free Communities (MCCDFC) has worked to turn collaboration into action — bringing together schools, parents, youth, law enforcement, and community leaders to create meaningful, lasting change.
Our efforts focus on prevention, education, and connection — empowering our community to make informed choices and supporting youth in leading the way toward a healthier future.
What We’ve Accomplished Together
Over the years, MCCDFC has helped shape a stronger, safer Monroe County through initiatives that raise awareness, provide education, and strengthen local systems of support.
Highlights of our work include:
Community Forums
Hosting annual community forums on a variety of substance use prevention topics to spark open, informed conversations.
Prevention Speakers
Featuring monthly guest speakers at coalition meetings to share insights, research, and strategies that inform local prevention work.
Drug Take Back Days
Partnering with law enforcement to hold Drug Take Back Days twice a year, safely collecting and disposing of unused or expired medications.
Parents Who Host, Lose the Most
Launching the “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” campaign, reminding families of their vital role in preventing underage drinking.
Monroe County Teen Court
Establishing Monroe County Teen Court, providing young people with a restorative, peer-led alternative to the traditional justice system.
Youth-Led Sessions
Listening directly to students through youth-led sessions that give us honest insight into their experiences and perceptions of substance use.
Second Chance Program
Supporting the creation of the Second Chance Program, offering students caught with drugs or alcohol an opportunity to learn, grow, and make better choices instead of facing punitive discipline.
City-Wide Proclamations
Collaborating with city leaders — including working with the Mayor and City Council of Columbia, IL, to officially proclaim October as Substance Abuse Prevention Month in 2014.
Task Force Support
Supporting the Monroe County Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Task Force, which works to reduce recidivism among nonviolent offenders by connecting them to mental health and substance use treatment instead of incarceration
Collaboration that Drives Change
True progress happens when a community works together. MCCDFC collaborates closely with:
Schools
Law enforcement agencies
Local governments
Churches and faith organizations
Youth organizations
Nonprofits
Parents and families
Together, we are creating the conditions for lasting prevention and community wellness.
In January 2019, MCCDFC conducted a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to guide our next phase of growth. From that process, two key goals emerged:
Expand youth involvement and leadership within the coalition.
Strengthen coalition capacity — improving structure, representation, training, and performance to better serve Monroe County.
Looking Ahead
Measurable Outcomes
Our ongoing work aims to achieve measurable outcomes for Monroe County students in grades 8–12, including:
Increased understanding of the risks of substance use
Reduced perception that substance use is socially acceptable — among both peers and parents
Lower perceived ease of access to drugs and alcohol
Fewer youth obtaining substances from friends or family
And ultimately, a measurable reduction in youth alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use
In the long term, as social and cultural attitudes continue to shift, these efforts will contribute to a sustained decrease in substance use across all ages.
A Vision for the Future
The vision of the Monroe County Coalition for Drug-Free Communities is simple yet powerful:
Each of our communities supports the wellness and safety of every one of its members by eliminating the abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Through continued collaboration, education, and compassion, we’re helping Monroe County move closer to that vision every day.