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About the Coalition

 

Because more than 14 millions Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism, because more than half of Americans have a close relative who has or has had alcoholism, because the yearly economic cost of alcohol abuse in the U.S. has been estimated at $184.6 billion (according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s 10th Special Report to the U& Congress on Alcohol and Health), additional steps must be taken to make sure that a casual drink doesn’t become a life-threatening disorder.

The financial, physical and emotional costs of alcohol abuse and at-risk drinking exact an incalculable toll on our society. But in the public effort to avoid alcohol problems, it’s easy to be left with questions. How much alcohol is too much? How does alcohol affect my health? What can I do if I think a friend or loved one may have a problem?

In order to clarify the relationship between alcohol and health for a public that may have questions, April was recognized as National Alcohol Awareness Month. By spotlighting this month as an opportunity for people to take a few minutes to learn more about alcohol and their own relationship to it, we can help prevent alcohol problems before they start.

Because of this, National Alcohol Awareness Month was not just for people with alcohol problems, or for those who feel their lives are spiraling out of control. Its message was relevant to anyone who drinks.

About the Coalition

The Guilford County Substance Abuse Coalition was formed in July, GCSAC2002, following a health conference held at Guilford Technical Community College in May, 2002. At this conference, co-sponsored by the Moses Cone ~ Wesley Long Community Health Foundation and the Guilford Health Partnership, the issue of substance abuse was identified as a significant problem in Guilford County. It was recommended that a Coalition be formed to study the issue, to assess available resources and gaps in services, and to establish a mechanism for ongoing monitoring and planning of services.

Goals

  • Establish and maintain a stable and functioning coalition.
  • Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment that includes an inventory of resources and identification of gaps.
  • Encourage the implementation of best-practice principles for substance abuse prevention, treatment and after-care programs.
  • Establish and maintain an ongoing monitoring and planning of services system; and
  • Raise community awareness of substance abuse through social marketing, education and advocacy.

These goals were identified and agreed upon by the Coalition participants, and specific committees formed to work on these items.

Coalition committees

  • Needs Assessment & Monitoring Committee
  • Education & Training Committee
  • Community Awareness & Advocacy Committee
  • Finance Committee

 

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Coalition Mission & Vision
Mission
The Coalition brings together the provider community and Guilford County Residents to develop a partnership through advocacy, education, collaboration, and support of best practice principles to effectively address substance abuse.

Vision
Our vision is to have a substance abuse service system that is easy accessible, based on proven effective practices, meeting the needs of a diverse population.

Did you know?

The cause and effect of substance abuse on our children are two-fold:

  1. Peer Pressure. To be "in," everybody does it. Often, too late in life, they will real-ize that injured, in debt, in trouble, and/or incarcerated is not the "in" that makes life worth while.
  2. Lack of education. Training and education begin at home. If no one at home can tell our children the drawbacks of substance abuse, where do you think they are going to learn? In the streets.