The Johnston Prevention Coalition (JPC) has been recognized on the national stage for its dedication to reducing youth substance use and fostering a healthier community.

CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) has honored JPC as the 2024 Coalition of the Year, a prestigious award given to coalitions that demonstrate long-term success in their prevention efforts.

JPC, coordinated by the Tri-County Community Action Agency, has been serving the Johnston community since 2006 under the Rhode Island Substance Abuse Prevention Act. The coalition’s mission focuses on raising awareness, educating the community, and implementing evidence-based prevention strategies.

Through these efforts, JPC has achieved measurable success, particularly in reducing youth nicotine use. From 2018 to 2024, Johnston saw an 11.6 percent decrease in lifetime nicotine use and a 6.8 percent decline in past 30-day use among students in grades 7 through 11.

At the core of JPC’s success is its extensive collaboration with local organizations, including the Johnston School Department, the Johnston Police Department, healthcare providers, student assistance counselors, and parent-teacher organizations. These partnerships have been instrumental in implementing policies and programs that make a lasting impact.

Among its many initiatives, JPC has introduced interactive programs like the Escape the Vape Escape Room, which engages middle school students in learning about the dangers of nicotine use, and Media Ready, an evidence-based program designed to help students critically analyze media influences on substance use. The Pick Your No’s curriculum teaches middle school students refusal skills through role-playing activities, while the Above the Influence (ATI) Peer Leadership Program empowers middle and high school students to take an active role in prevention efforts.

Additionally, the coalition provides resources for parents and educators, such as the Hidden in Plain Sight display, which helps adults recognize warning signs of substance use, and campaigns like It Starts With You: Talk Early, Talk Often and They Hear You, which promote open conversations between parents and children about substance use. To further support families, JPC publishes the Raising Healthy Kids quarterly newsletter, offering practical tools and insights on prevention and healthy decision-making.

Patricia Sweet, Director of Prevention Programs and SPC Regional Task Force at the Tri-County Community Action Agency, expressed the significance of this national recognition.

“Winning Coalition of the Year is an incredible honor that reflects the dedication, hard work, and passion of everyone involved. It reinforces the importance of our mission and the impact we are making in our communities. This recognition is a testament to the commitment of our coalition members, partners, and supporters who work tirelessly to create positive change,” she said.  “It motivates us to continue pushing forward, knowing that our efforts are truly making a difference in prevention and community well-being. I have to say, without BHDDH funding, this could not have happened and was also supplemented by Drug-Free Communities funds”

The Johnston Police Department has been a key partner in JPC’s mission, particularly in enforcement efforts. Chief Mark Vieira emphasized the department’s longstanding commitment to working alongside the coalition,.

“The Johnston Police Department has been involved with the coalition since its inception to assist with enforcement efforts. It’s been a pleasure working with the coalition since everyone is extremely dedicated to achieving our shared goals,” he said.

Chief Vieira also highlighted JPC’s focus on reducing youth access to nicotine products and the department’s role in compliance checks.

“The coalition has placed a strong emphasis on addressing nicotine use by our youth. Our goal is to reduce access to these products and create a healthier community. When a tobacco retailer is found in violation during a compliance check, the responding officer educates the sales clerk on the importance of checking IDs and provides a best practices handbook for tobacco retailers developed by the Southern Providence County Regional Coalition,” he said. “In recent years, there has been a notable reduction in the number of tobacco compliance checks that have resulted in sales to minors, proving our joint effort has created a healthier community for our youth.”

He added that the national recognition reinforces the coalition’s impact.

“The Johnston Prevention Coalition receiving this prestigious national award for ‘Coalition of the Year: Long-term Outcomes’ demonstrates that Johnston is a youth-focused community that has a vested interest in the well-being of our children. We are committed to continuing our partnership with the coalition with the ultimate goal of achieving zero sales to youth in Johnston,” said Vieira.

CADCA, an organization representing over 7,000 community coalitions worldwide, recognizes high-performing coalitions that excel in prevention efforts through its Blue Ribbon Coalition Initiative. JPC’s designation as Coalition of the Year highlights its sustained commitment to reducing youth substance misuse through community engagement, education, and policy change.

The Johnston Prevention Coalition (JPC) has been recognized on the national stage for its dedication to reducing youth substance use and fostering a healthier community.

CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) has honored JPC as the 2024 Coalition of the Year, a prestigious award given to coalitions that demonstrate long-term success in their prevention efforts.

JPC, coordinated by the Tri-County Community Action Agency, has been serving the Johnston community since 2006 under the Rhode Island Substance Abuse Prevention Act. The coalition’s mission focuses on raising awareness, educating the community, and implementing evidence-based prevention strategies.

Through these efforts, JPC has achieved measurable success, particularly in reducing youth nicotine use. From 2018 to 2024, Johnston saw an 11.6 percent decrease in lifetime nicotine use and a 6.8 percent decline in past 30-day use among students in grades 7 through 11.

At the core of JPC’s success is its extensive collaboration with local organizations, including the Johnston School Department, the Johnston Police Department, healthcare providers, student assistance counselors, and parent-teacher organizations. These partnerships have been instrumental in implementing policies and programs that make a lasting impact.

Among its many initiatives, JPC has introduced interactive programs like the Escape the Vape Escape Room, which engages middle school students in learning about the dangers of nicotine use, and Media Ready, an evidence-based program designed to help students critically analyze media influences on substance use. The Pick Your No’s curriculum teaches middle school students refusal skills through role-playing activities, while the Above the Influence (ATI) Peer Leadership Program empowers middle and high school students to take an active role in prevention efforts.

Additionally, the coalition provides resources for parents and educators, such as the Hidden in Plain Sight display, which helps adults recognize warning signs of substance use, and campaigns like It Starts With You: Talk Early, Talk Often and They Hear You, which promote open conversations between parents and children about substance use. To further support families, JPC publishes the Raising Healthy Kids quarterly newsletter, offering practical tools and insights on prevention and healthy decision-making.

Patricia Sweet, Director of Prevention Programs and SPC Regional Task Force at the Tri-County Community Action Agency, expressed the significance of this national recognition.

“Winning Coalition of the Year is an incredible honor that reflects the dedication, hard work, and passion of everyone involved. It reinforces the importance of our mission and the impact we are making in our communities. This recognition is a testament to the commitment of our coalition members, partners, and supporters who work tirelessly to create positive change,” she said.  “It motivates us to continue pushing forward, knowing that our efforts are truly making a difference in prevention and community well-being. I have to say, without BHDDH funding, this could not have happened and was also supplemented by Drug-Free Communities funds”

The Johnston Police Department has been a key partner in JPC’s mission, particularly in enforcement efforts. Chief Mark Vieira emphasized the department’s longstanding commitment to working alongside the coalition,.

“The Johnston Police Department has been involved with the coalition since its inception to assist with enforcement efforts. It’s been a pleasure working with the coalition since everyone is extremely dedicated to achieving our shared goals,” he said.

Chief Vieira also highlighted JPC’s focus on reducing youth access to nicotine products and the department’s role in compliance checks.

“The coalition has placed a strong emphasis on addressing nicotine use by our youth. Our goal is to reduce access to these products and create a healthier community. When a tobacco retailer is found in violation during a compliance check, the responding officer educates the sales clerk on the importance of checking IDs and provides a best practices handbook for tobacco retailers developed by the Southern Providence County Regional Coalition,” he said. “In recent years, there has been a notable reduction in the number of tobacco compliance checks that have resulted in sales to minors, proving our joint effort has created a healthier community for our youth.”

He added that the national recognition reinforces the coalition’s impact.

“The Johnston Prevention Coalition receiving this prestigious national award for ‘Coalition of the Year: Long-term Outcomes’ demonstrates that Johnston is a youth-focused community that has a vested interest in the well-being of our children. We are committed to continuing our partnership with the coalition with the ultimate goal of achieving zero sales to youth in Johnston,” said Vieira.

CADCA, an organization representing over 7,000 community coalitions worldwide, recognizes high-performing coalitions that excel in prevention efforts through its Blue Ribbon Coalition Initiative. JPC’s designation as Coalition of the Year highlights its sustained commitment to reducing youth substance misuse through community engagement, education, and policy change.