The Catalyst Coalition began in 2005 as an answer to the higher than average youth substance use rates in Napa County. We received a federal grant focused on alcohol and cannabis use reduction that concluded in 2015. Following the success of CATALYST another coalition was formed to specifically target the UpValley areas of Napa County. The UpValley Partnership for Youth began in 2015 and is currently in year three of a five federal funded grant to continue our work to raise awareness about the harms of underage drinking and reduce youth access through local control. NCOE is fortunate to collaborate with the UpValley Family Centers to run the UpValley Partnership for Youth coalition. For more information on the activities and on goings of our prevention efforts up valley check out at https://www.upvalleypartnershipforyouth.org/about_us (external website, new window)
The coalition also focuses on cannabis prevention and education through our Cannabis subcommittee. Underage cannabis use is an evolving and rapidly changing landscape given the passage of Prop 64 allowing for adults to use cannabis recreationally. Our goal is to educate parents and teens on the importance of delaying cannabis use until brain development is complete and the importance of safe use of cannabis.
Additional Resources For Parents, Mentors, and Youth
What Parents and Mentors Need to Know About Cannabis (external website, new window)