Goals:

1. Establish and strengthen collaboration among Zion and Benton Townships’ nonprofit agencies along with Federal, State and local governments to support the Coalition’s efforts to prevent substance abuse, specifically tobacco and alcohol.
   
   
2. Reduce substance abuse among youth and over time among adults by addressing the factors in the communities that increase the risk of substance abuse.

Program Components:

Coalition Sustainability: Increase community awareness of the Coalition for Healthy Communities’ mission, goals, events and activities regarding substance abuse prevention. Define and guide the Coalition work groups in the implementation of identified tobacco and alcohol prevention activities using data driven decisions.

Social Norms Education: Provide accurate information about alcohol and tobacco use to Zion-Benton Township High School students and staff.  Reduce misperception that the majority of Zion-Benton Township High School students are using alcohol and /or tobacco through a Social Norms campaign using posters, greeting cards, and promotional items for students and staff with the positive social norms message.

Youth Education: The Healthy YOUth Program at Zion-Benton Township High School trains substance free high school students in youth advocacy, education, and harms of substance abuse as well as how to influence their peers regarding positive decisions. Healthy YOUth students provide alcohol and tobacco prevention education at the high school and also in the community working with initiatives such as: smoke free parks ordinances, red ribbon week and project sticker shock.

Community Education: Increase substance abuse prevention education, awareness and advocacy in the Zion-Benton communities by providing education, collaboration and sharing resources. Work with local law enforcement to in development and adoption of ordinances such as social host and Basset (Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training).

Drug Free Communities Staff

Kristine Andersen
Program Supervisor
3010 Grand Ave.
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-8107
hldfc@lakecountyil.gov

Liane Blanck
Community Health Specialist
Drug Free Communities
1606 23rd Street
Zion, IL 60099
(847) 731-2658
hldfc@lakecountyil.gov

Kelly Martinez
Program Assistant
3010 Grand Ave.
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-8771
hldfc@lakecountyil.gov

Sarah Wright
Community Health Specialist
Drug Free Communities
1606 23rd Street
Zion, IL 60099
(847) 731-2658
hldfc@lakecountyil.gov

Drug Free Communities is funded by Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration www.samhsa.gov. For more information please contact us at hldfc@lakecountyil.gov or (847) 731-2658 or check out the Coalition for Healthy Communities Website at www.zbchc.com.