County to Host Coalition Building Meeting, Training

Life’s Choices Kaua‘i, a program of the Office of the Mayor, is seeking community members who may be interested in joining a substance abuse prevention coalition which aims to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth.

The Coalition Building meeting will be held on Jan. 30 in the Pi‘ikoi Conference Room in Līhu‘e from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. or 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

This meeting is free and open to the public.

Life’s Choices Prevention Coordinator Maile Murray will present “Coalition Building 101” training that will identify seven key steps to coalition building.

This will be an interactive meeting/training to identify substance abuse issues in specific communities, review data, and prepare for the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) support program grant application.

Gerald Rapozo, liquor control director, will also deliver a presentation about the Liquor Control Department, review existing County liquor laws, and share the department’s enforcement authority regarding underage drinking.

This training is approved for two Continuing Education Units (CEU) from the State Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.

The coalition aims to establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, as well as federal, state, local and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions.

It also aims to reduce substance abuse among youth, and over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.

Due to limited seating, please RSVP to mmurray@kauai.gov with your choice of session.

If you need an ASL Interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aid support, please contact Maile Murray at 241-4926 or mmurray@kauai.gov before a meeting.