The newly established Garfield Prevention Coalition is a collaboration of community members working together for a positive change in the city of Garfield. The Garfield Prevention Coalition located within the City of Garfield has grown out of the Garfield EPIC (Empower Peers & Inspire Change) Youth Coalition created in 2009 focusing on underage issues around alcohol. Recently there has been increa
sed awareness that Garfield’s youth are using marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol at high rates. It was determined that there would need to be a stronger community effort if all these needs are to be addressed. Under the leadership of the Bergen County Prevention Coalition, the EPIC Youth Coalition grew to become the Garfield Prevention Coalition. With a new identity, the Garfield Prevention Coalition is actively engaging adults as well as additional youth and to expand its mission to include tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol. Our vision is for Garfield to become not only a drug free community, but a culturally aware, deeply bonded community in which our children can grow into happy, healthy, and resilient members of the community. The Coalition is currently made up of representatives from 12 sectors represented in Garfield including youth, local parents, business, the media, schools, a variety of youth serving organizations, law enforcement, civic organizations, faith leaders, healthcare professionals, local government, as well as other organizations involved in reducing substance abuse. With all these sectors at the table, we believe the Coalition can begin to do great work within the town of Garfield to help ensure the safety of Garfield’s future. As of 2013 the Coalition was awarded with a generous grant from the federal government to take our prevention efforts to the next level. Even with each of these sectors represented, there is much work to be done. The Coalition is always open to new ideas and volunteers. Your time, experience, and/or insight are invaluable resources that are essential to seeing our vision become and remain a reality. For more information on how to join the Garfield Prevention Coalition please email [email protected].
