Manatee County Substance Abuse Coalition

Description

The Manatee County Substance Abuse Coalition (MCSAC) is the largest (280+ members) and most successful prevention coalition in Manatee County. Community members formed MCSAC after determining that no single group or agency within the County had the resources to impact a large enough portion of the environment to substantially foster norm changes. MCSAC has since become the coordinating body for prevention in Manatee County and serves as the county’s community voice on local, regional, and statewide prevention networks. Strategies and activities to identify, collect and assess pertinent data were launched as MCSAC adopted Florida’s version of the SPF, the Substance Abuse Response Guide (SARG) process in 2006 in order to understand local issues, conducting Need and Resource Assessments and developing Strategic, Community Action and Evaluation Plans.

The Board also oversees the efforts and actions of the Executive Director and, through her, the activities of staff (employees and contractual) and the efforts of the Coalition members and their respective Task Forces: Alcohol Task Force, Rx Drug Task Force and Marijuana Task Force. MCSAC’s Board and staff also support and facilitate the work of the Vista/VetCorps Prevention Coordinator and the Manatee County Youth Commission.