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Project Live urges schools to 'embed prevention' for youth substance-use; coalition highlights PACE data
Summary
Project Live presenters told the board the coalition aims to embed prevention messaging in schools, use PACE survey data, and expand community activities like Red Ribbon Week and tulip-planting to normalize prevention messaging.
Project Live representatives Mary Young and Will Pike told the board that sustained, data-driven prevention messaging should be embedded in schools and the community to reduce youth substance-use risks.
Young described the coalition’s model and noted it is a 10-year-old community coalition that partners with the district, the education foundation, first responders and local nonprofits. Will Pike emphasized that prevention is “the most cost-effective way to fight the disease of addiction,” and the presenters cited the district’s PACE survey (most recently administered in 2025) as a key data source for targeting outreach.
Presenters explained why adolescents (roughly ages 12–25) are especially vulnerable because of brain development and urged a focus on building protective factors and connections to caring adults. Project Live described programming such as Red Ribbon Week, parent outreach, prom safety efforts, and a community tulip-planting initiative meant to prompt local reflection on prevention in the spring each year.
The coalition asked the board and community to remain partners, provide volunteer support, and help embed prevention so programs do not depend on a few individuals. No formal district action was recorded; the board thanked the presenters and signaled interest in continued collaboration.
