Formation, History and Structure of the coalition
The Partnership for a Drug Free Wayne County (Partnership) was organized in 1987 and has undergone several structural changes over the years. The Partnership began as a coalition, moved to an incorporated status, and then became part of the Wayne County Government. Wayne County government provides the fiscal operations and funds a part-time employ
ee through the local coordinating council (LCC). This part-time director position began in 1996 and there have been three directors since the position was created. In addition to the director, the Partnership is governed by up to seven volunteer board of directors including a president, vice president, information officer, and treasurer. The Partnership receives funding as an LCC through the countermeasure fees from substance abuse convictions in the county and receives technical support from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. The countermeasure fees are distributed by the Partnership based on review of applications by a funding committee each year. These grants are also aligned to objectives within the Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) the Partnership develops on a three year basis. The CCP is an assessment of the county’s substance use problems and ramifications from substance use. To determine the problem statements within the CCP the Partnership collects a variety of information including the Indiana Youth Survey (INYS) conducted by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC), crime statistics, substance use related treatment occurrences, substance use related deaths and births, and juvenile probation referrals. Grant recipients and sector representatives especially law enforcement and mental health help assist in collecting and assessing the annual CCP data. The Partnership has been a leading entity in community efforts to reduce substance abuse in the county.
