Spokane County is home to five community coalitions that make up the Community Prevention & Wellness Initiative (CPWI). This community and school-based partnership was formed to deliver much needed prevention programs and strategies focused on reducing underage use of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other drugs.
The goal of each coalition is to empower the communities that they serve through education and substance abuse prevention strategies that promote safe and healthy environments for individuals, families and neighborhoods. This is done by determining the root cause(s) of problem behaviors as well as addressing risk and protective factors for such behaviors in order to empower youth and their families to make positive and healthy choices resulting in a safe, drug-free environment.
Each coalition strives to have at least eight active representatives from the following sectors:
- Youth
- Parents
- Business Community
- Media
- Schools
- Youth-serving organizations
- Law enforcement
- Religious or fraternal organizations
- Civic and volunteer groups
- Healthcare professionals
- State or local government
- Behavioral Health Treatment Services
- Other organizations/groups involved in reducing/preventing substance abuse