The coalition has worked to change family, youth, and community norms about substance use initially through the Safe Homes Pledge Campaign. BHCC was a key player in joining Skagit County’s prevention community in conducting a needs assessment to identify gaps/overlaps in services for children and families most at risk for academic failure, school drop-out, & substance abuse.
In focus group interviews, youth overwhelmingly reported the perception that ‘adults only noticed them if they did something wrong’. In response, BHCC launched the annual Citizenship Awards for eighth-grade students. We also support the Varsity in Volunteerism club for high school students: an after-school activity to match students with community-based organizations providing volunteer & job skills training through 100 hours of service.
The coalition was instrumental in encouraging Burlington Police Dept. to implement the Education Citation Program (ECP). ECP is a model program that offers education and diversion in lieu of a citation for minors caught using alcohol and/or marijuana and prevents first-time offenders from entering the court system. Lastly, BHCC hosts Drug Take Back events, with the first event in 2019 resulting in 20 pounds of unwanted medications being removed from the community.
