Friday, October 4, 2019

Role of Island county substance abuse prevention coalition

Alcoholic Substance
Photo by Charles "Duck" Unitas on Unsplash
Officer David Marks is an accomplished law enforcement officer with hands-on leadership skills that have enabled him to transform the police department and drive policy formulation. He is a graduate of criminal justice studies from Highline Community College. He was until recently, the police chief of Langley Police Department where he was in charge of supervision, oversight, compliance, and outreach. During his tenure, officer David Marks outfitted police patrol cars with AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator). He is a two-time recipient of the Mayor’s Excellence Award and founding member of Island County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.

The Island County Substance Abuse Prevention brings together a group of concerned citizens who working unison to fight substance abuse in Island County, Washington. The organization consists of medical law enforcement experts, as well as other concerned citizens who attend regular meetings to discuss and implement strategies as well as appeal to citizens to live healthy lifestyles, free from harmful substances or alcohol. Meetings are held from 1-2 pm every 4th Wednesday of the month in the Commissioner’s Board Room in Coupeville and are also open to the public. They bring together citizens, parents, business owners, county leaders, and prevention specialists among others.

Island County Substance Abuse Prevention has been deeply involved in the research. They organize the collection of key information about substance abuse, treatment, law enforcement and community approaches to intervention. Members also have the responsibility of attending meetings summoned by Island County leaders, to share about their experiences so far, and the impacts of drugs on young people within the community.