Montcalm Prevention Collaborative is a grassroots movement that, with the support and direct participation of community members, seeks to bring about community-wide change. By changing our family, school, and community practices, we create an environment that encourages youth to make healthy choices and discourage them from going down the destructive path of substance abuse. Montcalm Prevention Co
llaborative was initially formed in 2009 as a collaboration between two previously existing prevention groups: To***co-Free Montcalm and Montcalm Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking (MCPUD). In 2012, the Medication Disposal Coalition of Montcalm County came under the Drug-Free Montcalm umbrella, and medication drop boxes were established at seven local law-enforcement agencies. The coalition was renamed to YOUTHINK Montcalm in 2013, and in 2017, renamed to Montcalm Prevention Collaborative with the goals of inviting community members to the table to talk about and take action on prevention efforts in Montcalm County. Montcalm Prevention Collaborative is funded through a grant from the federal Drug Free Communities Support Program. We are currently in the midst of year 7 of the 10 year grant cycle. Our primary goal is to continue bringing people to the movement and to build long-term sustainability, so that when the federal grand funds are no longer available, the work of the coalition lives on in a community changed for the better. Montcalm Prevention Collaborative's work is not possible without hands on involvement from community members. There are many ways for individuals and organizations to be involved- we hope you will find the way that best fits with your passions and talents. The day-today work of the Coalition is carried out by Work Teams whose efforts center around four substances: Prescription drugs, Alcohol, Nicotine/E-Cigs, and Ma*****na. Through the support of our various sector representatives, we promote and expand the coalition's work out to the community. We also have a Media Team, an Evaluation Team, and an Executive Board. The Executive Board tends to the administrative matters necessary to keep the Coalition going. All parts of the coalition are essential to bring about the long-term changes in community norms that are necessary to reduce youth substance use and abuse.
