Prevention

The MCBHC’s Prevention unit works to provide comprehensive prevention strategies that are structured to reduce individual and environmental risk factors and to increase resiliency factors in individuals. The prevention strategies include:

• information dissemination
• promotion of community-based
• prevention focused partnerships
• community standards and policies that support health practices
• positive alternative activities that exclude the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

Mission Statement: To reduce favorable attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco and other durgs amoung Mercer County residents and to decrease and/ or delay the onset of substance use.

Specifically, the prevention specialists provide:

• education regarding substance abuse and addiction, life skills, family management, parenting, leadership  and advocacy development
• intervention services for at-risk youth in Mercer County school districts and in the juvenile justice system.
• activities for diverse populations to engage in as a healthy alternative to drug use and other at-risk behaviors
• assistance in establishing or changing written and unwritten community standards, attitudes, and policies to reduce substance abuse
• collaboration and networking with schools, churches, communities, agencies, law enforcement, and businesses to plan, organize, build, and enhance coalitions