Mission

The mission of the coalition is to plan and implement community-wide mobilization strategies and county-wide collaborative efforts that prevent or reduce substance use among youth, while positively impacting the associated consequences of substance use and abuse among adults.

Objective

The primary objective of the coalition is to advocate for the comprehensive delivery of substance use and mental health disorder prevention, intervention and treatment services; among the population in and around the greater Albion/Marshall area (Eastern Calhoun County).

Goals

To prevent or reduce substance use and co-occuring disorders (SUD/COD) by targeting specific local groups and environmental conditions.
To mobilize community in identifying and addressing the social issues or conditions contributing to a rise in the potential for drug abuse and mental health disorder.

Meetings

9:00 am to 10:30 am;
2nd Tuesday of every month

Location:
Albion First United Methodist Church
600 East Michigan Avenue

Our location is the “Wesley Lounge”, which adjoins “Wesley Chapel.”
From the church parking lot; entrance to the lounge is at the south side of the tunnel underpass.

Prescription Drug Drop-Off Site

RED MED BOX

City Hall (lobby)
112 W. Cass St., Albion, MI

Staff People

Harry Bonner
[email protected]
(517) 629-2113

D. Chris Farmer
[email protected]
(517) 629-2113

County Prevention initiatives and Accomplishments

  • Youth Development Programs such as “Across Ages Mentoring” and “Children with Adolescent Mentors (CAMP)
  • The school-based “Positive Action” a social-emotional learning curriculum
  • “Challenging College Alcohol Abuse” and “Diversity Awareness”

History

The “Albion Community Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (ACSAPC)” was founded by Harry J. Bonner, Sr.; his agency – “Substance Abuse Prevention Services, Inc.” – continues to support the coalition in its growth as a community-based task force of committed local individuals representing a variety of key stakeholders including: youth service organizations, human service agencies, health and medical service providers, public housing authorities, faith-based community groups, local school districts, colleges, various governmental entities, public and private sector businesses.

The agency’s (SAPS) unique contribution to local coalition work is its mentoring/coaching approach to providing prevention, intervention, assessment and referral services in both the schools and in the community. ACSAPC’s steering committee and active prevention partners are specifically trained/coached in this approach to intervention and community mobilization. Implementation of research-based, data-driven model programs is the common thread throughout prevention campaigns endorsed and supported by the coalition – i.e.: “Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol” (CMCA), the “Communities That Care” (CTC) social development strategy and “Prevention Prepared Communities (PPC) in a Recovery Oriented System of Care” (ROSC). Cultural Diversity and Awareness is the central theme throughout this “Strategic Prevention Framework” (SPF) for local prevention activity. Systems change thru effective identification of local risk and protective factors and early identification and referral is the hallmark of all local prevention efforts.

Creating the capacity to develop safe, healthy behaviors and environmental conditions for children and youth to thrive starts with establishing healthy beliefs and clear standards in families, schools, communities, and peer groups. There are three priority focus areas for coalition led prevention and awareness campaigns: Prescription (Rx) Drug Abuse Prevention, Underage Drinking (UAD) Prevention, and Marijuana Awareness. Agency and coalition participation in Battle Creek based county-wide initiatives serves to better inform the larger network of service providers concerning special needs or barriers on the eastern side of the county.