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Jackson County prevention coordinator reports drop in student alcohol use, outlines in-kind match and outreach plans
Summary
Don Nelson, communities grant program coordinator, told the board the county’s prevention coalition has increased trainings, maintains eight medication drop boxes, collected 144 pounds at the last DEA takeback, and reports the DFC survey shows high‑school alcohol use down from 32% to 7%; he also outlined in‑kind match reporting (125% = $156,000; next year 150% = $186,000).
Don Nelson, director and communities grant program coordinator, updated the Jackson County Board of Supervisors on Prevention Coalition activities on March 24.
Nelson said efforts include compliance-check events (two were canceled but being rescheduled), two TIP/responsible‑beverage trainings with 11 and 15 attendees and another scheduled for April, and purchase of a third ID scanner to speed event entry. On medication disposal, he said the coalition has eight drop boxes in the county (two at pharmacies) and that an October DEA‑sponsored takeback collected 144 pounds of medication; another takeback is planned for April.
Nelson raised concerns about increasing availability of vape and THC products, noting two county stores recently bought by out‑of‑state companies are carrying paraphernalia and delta‑8/THC products. He described a student media competition called “More than a Moment” to create prevention PSAs (video, radio, posters) across participating schools to engage students in prevention messaging.
On school interventions, Nelson described PRI 420 (Prime for Life), an alternative to suspension where students attend a day of prevention instruction at the community college. He also presented DFC core‑measure trends since 2018, saying county high‑school self‑reported alcohol use fell from about 32% to 7% in the period the survey covered, tobacco use fell from about 8% to 1%, and other measures showed mixed changes; Nelson characterized these as encouraging but said perception‑of‑risk among older students remains an area of focus.
Nelson explained grant sustainability reporting: the county must document 125% in‑kind match on a $125,000 grant (about $156,000) and next year the requirement increases to 150% ($186,000). He said in‑kind includes donated hours, mileage, donated event space, officer time for takebacks and prevention events, and other contributions—but that his office can only report what partners turn in, and collecting those submissions is the biggest challenge.
Board members asked clarifying questions about what counts as in‑kind (Nelson said only prevention‑related activities are included) and whether emergency services hours qualify (Nelson said not unless directly tied to prevention events). Nelson said he will continue compiling data and return with further updates.
