OCEANSIDE — The North Coastal Prevention Coalition celebrated 20 years of service to North County as an advocate for healthy and safe communities free from the problems of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drug. The March 14 event hosted keynote speaker U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura Duffy.
Since 1993, the North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) has delivered a message of collective responsibility, collaboration, and support in its mission to prevent substance abuse in the cities of Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista. Duffy is the recipient of many Department of Justice awards, including the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, which she received in 2008 for her work on the Arellano-Felix drug cartel cases.
Other speakers at the celebration included Nick Macchione, director of the county of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and Chuck Matthews, Deputy Director of the county of San Diego HHSA, North Regions.
The anniversary program also highlighted achievements of the NCPC’s STOP Act Grant, which was awarded in 2008 to prevent and has reduced underage drinking in Hispanic populations.
In 2009, NCPC received national recognition as the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s Coalition of the Year award due to comprehensive, community-level approaches to combat substance abuse, such as Social Host Ordinances to prevent underage drinking at private parties; retail efforts to reduce the sale of drug paraphernalia; the annual 420 Remix event to reclaim April 20 as a Celebration of Sober and Drug Free Life Choices; and prescription drug education events and Take-Back days to prevent youth access to prescription drugs.
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