Coalition Against Teens using Substances (CATS) – Luna County
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Learn about CATS
Service Area: Luna County, NM
Mission: To build collaboration with the 12 sectors in Luna County to reduce alcohol use among underage youth and prescription drug misuse in Luna County.
History: CATS was originally a part of Luna County Health and Wellbeing Department. The Coalition Name at that time was YPAC. In 2018, the Center for Health Innovation was awarded the grant for the program from the New Mexico Office of Substance Abuse Prevention, and the coalition became a subgroup of the Luna County Health Council. In 2019, the subgroup adopted the name Coalition Against Teens using Substances (CATS).
Facebook Page: Visit our CATS Facebook page for all the latest information on our committee’s efforts.
Current Efforts:
- Promotion & coordination of stronger enforcement of all existing youth and adult alcohol & drug related laws,
- Develop and strengthen enforcement of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) policies at schools (includes the elimination of zero-tolerance policies that lead to suspension and expulsion from school)
- Media to increase and awareness of 4th degree felony social host laws,
- Target parents to restrict youth social access to prescription pain-killers by working directly with PTAs or similar parent groups to encourage safe storage of medications, proper disposal, use of lock boxes, and to share information with parents on adolescent prescription drug misuse and abuse, as well as dangers of sharing prescription medications,
- Strategies to enhanced relationships with local governments and other community leaders,
- Strategies to increase knowledge of issues.
Successes:
- Luna County adopted a social host ordinance and had a temporary medication disposal drop box.
- Deming Police Department installed a permanent medication disposal dropbox.
- Deming had first Drug Take Back Day event in four years.
Our Coalition Members:
Edith Vasquez, Oliva Peaz, Christina Endrizzo, Esther Stewart, Captain Michael Brown, Jessica Jara, Desa Malina , Rebecca Sanchez, Mary Mackey, Ft. Manuel Ibarra, Pastor Dave Iglesias, Pastor Cesar Chavez, Teresa Aguirre, Pauli Galin and Anna Barraza .
Contact CATS program specialist John Costilla-Gonzalez/ (575) 597-0038 or jcostilla-gonzalez@chi-phi.org.
CATS is a program of the Center for Health Innovation, New Mexico’s designated Public Health Institute, and funded by the New Mexico Office of Substance Abuse Prevention.
