Led by the folks at Navos Mental Health Solutions, a non-profit with locations in West Seattle and Burien, the Coalition for Drug-Free Youth is growing in strength and looking for additional members to help set policy and goals in reducing drug, alcohol and tobacco use in the Highline School District and White Center/Burien communities.

Anyone interested in joining will be asked to attend monthly coalition meetings and come ready to contribute ideas as the group eyes a March 2013 implementation that will start with youth surveys.

The Coalition is fueled by a five year grant from the King County Department of Community and Human Services. The funding ultimately comes from the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant.

For more information, please check out our prior coverage.

Organizations, private business and individuals interested in learning more about the coalition can contact Rudy Garza at Navos Mental Health Solutions, 206-439-2288 or at Rudy.Garza@navos.org.

Coalition members at this time include:

· King County Housing Authority

· Community Schools Collaboration

· Boys and Girls Club

· YWCA

· White Center Rec & Park

· White Center Community Development Association

· Café Rozella

· Salvadorean Bakery and Restaurant

· Neighborhood House

· Burien Police Dept.

· King County Sheriff’s Dept. – Greenbridge Storefront

· King County Sheriff’s Dept. -- White Center Community Service Center

· King County Library System—Burien, White Center branches

· Khmer Community Center – Seattle-King County

· Burien Rec & Parks

· YES Foundation

· New Futures

· Highline Medical Group

· US Bank – White Center Branch

· Kiki Corona Fashion & More

· Liquor Control Board – White Center Enforcement & Education

· White Center Food Bank

· Community Arts Create

· Triangle Pub

· Southwest Youth & Family Services

· Fardus Grimes -- Somali community

· Cascade Middle School and the Evergreen High School campus