Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to partner with community organizations to increase awareness among youth by providing education and prevention activities that will reduce substance use and abuse.
According to 2016 data, an estimated 3,200 young people per day between the ages of 12 and 17 used drugs for the first time in the preceding year. Research also indicates that high school seniors are more likely to smoke marijuana than cigarettes. Furthermore, 16% of high school seniors in 2016 reported binge drinking (i.e., 5 or more drinks in a row) in the past two weeks.
Local problems need local solutions. Our coalition is comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, healthcare and business professionals, law enforcement, and media. By involving the community in a solution-oriented approach, PEER Coalition helps those at risk for substance use recognize that the majority of our Nation’s youth choose not to use drugs.
About PEER Coalition
PEER is a prevention coalition funded by the Drug-Free Communities Support Mentor Program, a national program aimed at preventing youth drug and alcohol abuse. PEER sponsors positive youth development opportunities such as camp scholarships, as well as three afterschool clubs at Pomona Middle School and Chestnut Ridge Middle School. PEER also hosts community meetings that bring together community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals, law enforcement, and media to work together to prevent youth substance abuse.
Who we are
We partner with community organizations to increase awareness and reduce substance abuse among our youth. We provide education and prevention activities for our local community.
What we do
There is a national drug epidemic on the rise, and it’s affecting our community. Our goal is to work with other local coalitions to raise awareness and to prevent and reduce youth substance use.
Our community
Local problems need local solutions. Our goals are to reduce substance abuse issues, increase community participation, enhance leadership skills, and conduct community needs assessments.