What is a community anti-drug coalition?

Drug Free Charlotte County is Charlotte County’s community anti-drug coalition. Drug Free Charlotte County, formerly known as Charlotte Alliance for a Safe and Drug Free Community (CASC), was formed in August 2000, by Superintendent of Schools, Dr. David Gayler, after a statewide report indicated that Charlotte County’s youth were experimenting with drugs and alcohol at alarming rates.

Since that time, Drug Free Charlotte County has coordinated a community-wide effort to reduce youth substance abuse through community and school-based programs, special events, marketing, and extensive collaboration among Charlotte County’s youth-serving agencies. In 2006, this teamwork began to show results, as the 2006 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey showed marked decreases for Charlotte County Youth. Our work however is far from over.

Any substance use among our youth is cause for concern. As community members, parents, or grandparents, we have a responsibility to provide a safe, healthy and nurturing community for Charlotte County’s children. Everyone must do their part to achieve a drug-free Charlotte County.