Sarasota Coalition on |
![]() |
SCoSA promotes Substance Abuse Free Environments | |
|
| About SCoSA | Community Initiatives | Members |Partners | Resource Center | Teen/Youth | SCoSA News | | |
|
The History of SCoSA |
|||
|
SCoSA
emerged during early 1999 as series of round table discussions at the former
The Venice Foundation (now Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice), to
find ways to provide sustained and effective substance abuse prevention and
intervention programs. The death of several teenagers in alcohol related
crashes the previous year created the spark that mobilized the community.
In September 1999, the Venice group resolved to develop into a community
force as a strong coalition, facilitated by the Human Services Planning
Association of Sarasota County and startup funding from The Venice
Foundation.
In 2005, the coalition hired its third and current Executive Director, Curtis "Curt" Lavarello. Curt brought his vast experience in non-profit management to the coalition and immediately began to seek ways to sustain the coalition long-term. Curt partnered with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office in the design of a localized responsible vendor training program and created "Project AIM" (Alcohol Impairment Measure) designed to provide local vendors of issues and concerns surrounding alcohol in Sarasota County. In 2008, with the growing concern of growing prescription drug overdose deaths, the coalition led the awareness efforts through a series of prescription drug town-hall and televised meetings that brought together other community leaders and led to local ordinances being passed to reduce prescription drug related deaths.
Also in 2005, Curt created "Sarasota Shining Stars", a county-wide luncheon designed to recognize both the coalitions efforts, but also individual efforts that made positive impacts to reduce substance abuse in Sarasota County. Curt brought in nationally known speakers such as CNN's William Moyer, U.S. Dept. of Education's Asst. Deputy Secretary William Modzeleski and Florida State Seminole Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden (and more). The event continues today as one of Sarasota's most recognized events addressing the ills of substance abuse.
In 2008, the coalition (in partnership with the Sarasota County School Board) applied for and received a 3-year grant to address underage alcohol consumption by teens. The grant focuses on education and changing community norms as they relate to underage alcohol.
|
|||
|
Local people solve local problems best. |
|||
| |Copyright © 2008| Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse, Inc.| All Rights Reserved | | 701 McIntosh Rd | Sarasota, FL 34232 | |
|||