AHM CHEC

Since 1986 a local group known as the AHM Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Task Force have worked together to minimize the impact of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the regional community. Today our efforts are increased to incorporate community wellness with an emphasis on helping to keep youth drug free.

The parent organization of this group, AHM Youth and Family Services was awarded a federal grant, one of fewer than 200 nationwide communities to help combat local underage drinking, prescription drug abuse and the prevention of marijuana use. The grant award, which is for five consecutive years, is funded through the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Drug Free Communities Support Program.

The name CHEC came about through the collaborative efforts of members that serve on this community coalition. The idea of the name change came about after many parents in the communities expressed ideas on ways to expand membership and support for AHM’s efforts to help keep children and teens drug free. Throughout the second year of this grant, the coalition will be present at an ever increasing number of community events such as school open houses, farmers markets, town wide celebrations, and youth sporting events. The idea is to help reach a new generation of families living in the regional community to share important wellness resources on parenting and health related topics.

CHEC, in collaboration with a recently formed RHAM High School Youth Group called RALLY, will work together with the goal of reducing substance use among youth. Throughout the year the CHEC Coalition will sponsor parent and youth education forums, social marketing campaigns and community wide events such as the prescription drug TAKE BACK program.

For more information about the CHEC Coalition and the way to get involved, please contact the CHEC Project Coordinator, Brendan Grimm at BrendanG@ahmyouth.org.