SOUTHWEST
PREVENTION SUPPORT CENTER
Community Partnership acts as the Southwest Prevention Support Center of the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. In this capacity, staff work within 21 counties helping leaders assess community readiness for change; providing educational programs, materials and curriculi on substance abuse; developing community coalitions to support healthy lifestyles free of substance use; and being a ready source of technical assistance. This past year, the Support Center assisted 5 new communities in developing prevention coalitions - Neosho, Carl Junction, Seneca, Mountain View and Victory Circle in Springfield. This brings the total to 30 active coalitions; all composed of "cathedral builders" whose work will have lasting consequences in their individual communities. Staff also coordinated merchant education visits to 1,079 tobacco retailers in all 21 counties, and facilitated over 60 alcohol and tobacco retailer trainings in Southwest Missouri.

