Family Resource Network

BCCASA

Berkeley County Coalition

Against Substance Abuse

The Berkeley County Coalition Against Substance (BCCASA) was established in August 2008. The coalition was formed with membership from the twelve required sectors for the Drug Free Communities grant (youth, parents, business, media, schools, law enforcement, youth services agencies, religious organizations, civic organizations, various state, local and community organizations that combat substance abuse, and behavioral health professionals).

From the inception of the BCCASA, the FOCUS Coalition from Jefferson County has been the group's mentor. The FOCUS Coalition was formed in 1990, and has a long track record of obtaining major substance abuse grants and successfully implementing many substance abuse prevention programs in Jefferson County.

FOCUS received a Drug Free Communities Mentoring Grant to mentor the BCCASA from September 2008 to September 2009. During this time, FOCUS provided the BCCASA with the basics of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and assisted the BCCASA in formulating a strategic plan.Following September 2009, FOCUS has continued to provide technical support to the BCCASA.

The BCCASA and FOCUS have identified the following three areas to target for substance abuse prevention efforts in Berkeley and Jefferson counties in 2010-2011:

Underage drinking prevention
Fetal alcohol, tobacco and other drugs exposure prevention
Prescription drug abuse awareness

The BBCASA with support from FOCUS, the Family Resource Network of the Panhandle, Inc., the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle and other community stakeholders have applied for a grant for substance abuse prevention services (AFA 2-2010) in order to implement programs focused on the targets listed above.

Additional information will soon be posted about the prevention service programs to be implemented for 2010-2011. The new programs are expected to begin in October 2010.