THROUGH OUR LEADERSHIP and use of research-based prevention strategies, Suffolk Coalition makes a significant difference in the well being of all segments of society.  Suffolk Coalition's work has the potential to lessen an enormous burden of suffering and reduce both the cost of treatment and lost productivity within the family, workplace and community.

COMPASS (COMmunity, PArent, School, Student) An Alcohol and Drug Abuse Community Coalition-Building Prevention Program
This award-winning program uses a comprehensive alcohol and drug prevention model based on coalition building. Since its inception in 1997, COMPASS has been successfully implemented in seven* Suffolk County school districts ranging from small to large, from low to high income. COMPASS has been awarded grants by both the federal and New York State government. COMPASS continues to make a difference and serves as a vehicle to bring about school/community prevention efforts.

COMPASS is a science-based research which builds on the belief that community coalitions can prevent alcohol and drug dependency as well as reduce youth crime rates. This can be accomplished by early identification of individual, family, school, and community risk factors. By building a web of protective, science-based prevention strategies and services, change can take place.

* Participating COMPASS School Districts

Amityville
Bay Shore
Commack
South Country         
Southampton   
West Islip
Wyandanch        

COMPASS Coalition Training Academy of Long Island
The goal of the Suffolk Coalition is to introduce COMPASS into every Long Island school district. This hope has been translated into reality thanks to a Bureau of Justice Assistance Congressionally Mandated Award from Congressman Steve Israel. Through this award, the Suffolk Coalition has formed the COMPASS Coalition Training Academy of Long Island. This Academy serves as a framework to train school/community representatives in the knowledge base of prevention and coalition building. Through a series of monthly training, participants strengthen their resolve to build a comprehensive base of services to support the health and wellness of the youth in their communities. Mentoring and additional support is available through the Suffolk Coalition.

Why A School/Community Needs A Coalition
There are greater reductions in adolescent substance abuse in communities where coalitions exist than in communities where coalitions are not present. From 1993 to 2000 among 7^th graders within the boundary of the Coalition for Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, there was a 41% decrease in marijuana use and 23% decrease in alcohol use. In the same region where a coalition did not exist, there was a 33% increase in marijuana use and no change in alcohol use.
(Ohio: Coalition for Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati)

SCAT - Suffolk County Addiction Training
Since 1994, the Suffolk County Addiction Training program has trained over 8,300 chemical dependency professionals. These New York state-approved continuing education training sessions recredential over 600 participants each year. In-service training programs on all topics related to chemical dependency prevention are also available to agencies, businesses, schools and parent groups.

Center for Prevention Education
Presentations, training and literature on risk, protection, resiliency and research-based prevention programs are provided to all Suffolk County residents. Suffolk Coalition maintains a library-based center of current research and science-based programs and videos.