It’s good news for the community that the Fountain Hills Coalition received another five-year federal government grant to continue its operations here.

During the first five years of its existence, the coalition has made significant inroads in reducing underage drinking and drug abuse here.

A key factor in the coalition’s prevention success has been the collaboration that a coalition brings -- uniting town leadership, schools, businesses, parents, volunteer/civic groups, faith community, law enforcement, the treatment community, youth-serving organizations and more.

Its primary focus has been and will continue to be lowering the use of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs in the community among those 18 and below.

By instituting such programs as Text-A-Tip, Safe Homes Network, the Above That Club, essay contests, drug drop box, poster contests and more, the coalition has seen success.

For example, teen-reported drug use over time has decreased from 2010 to 2014. This includes alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and prescription drugs. Fountain Hills is below the state and national use rates for those drugs as well.

It is important that our children and teenagers grow up in a safe environment. Even though some “social norms” across the country indicate underage drinking and the like are no big deal, science has proven that brains are still developing in young adults until age 25. The younger a teen, for example, starts using drugs, chances jump significantly that the teen will have difficulties later in life with regard to addictions, higher education and the like.

Drug prevention is one more tool in a community arsenal that helps our quality of life and improves the environment in which our young people grow up.