A community coalition is only successful if its members work together to advocate for change.  The members of the PACT Prevention Coalition know this and it is why the membership creates and coordinates programs and events to enable positive change.  PACT also supports community programs and events sponsored by our members that contribute to the coalition’s vision of a safe, healthy and drug-free St. Johns County.

PACT Sponsored Initiatives




• Teen Focus Groups
The Teen Focus Groups are held every spring and focus primarily on underage drinking.  High school juniors and seniors throughout the county participate and a report is published the following fall.  The results assist with Coalition and its partners with planning communitywide strategies to reduce underage drinking.

• Teen Speak: When Your Child Knows More Than You
Teen Speak was born from the repeated request by parents to hear directly from teens about their daily lives.  Facilitators guide groups of parents through the process of formulating questions for the teen panel to answer. These questions are used by a panel of high school junior and seniors to help parents better understand their children. The student panel is followed by a panel of experts on adolescent development.  This initiative is recommended for parents of middle school aged children.  Presentations are available for groups of all sizes throughout the county.

• Community Drug Prevention Presentations
PACT staff provides community prevention presentations for a variety of audiences throughout the year.  As part of these presentations, relevant materials are distributed and community resource connections are shared.  Presentations are tailored to the audience and can be given to children, teens and adults in a group of any size for little or no cost.  It is our goal to inform the community on issues putting children and adults at-risk and share strategies and resources to reduce these risks.  Materials and equipment are provided.

• General Membership Meetings
Every month the coalition membership meets to receive coalition updates, determine coalition actions and share individual information beneficial to the coalition.  PACT Board members, general members, and the general public are encouraged to attend.  These meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of every month but that may change.  Check Calendar for the most current schedule information.

• Coalition Chronicle
A community newsletter offering information and strategies for keeping children and teens free from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.  It is published monthlly by the coalition.

• Underage Drinking and Tobacco Details
As part of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Alcohol Initiative, PACT has coordinated an Underage Drinking Task Force to support the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement in their efforts to reduce underage drinking.  While the additional education and enforcement details performed by local law enforcement go on throughout the year, the Underage Drinking Task Force also contributes to the development of initiatives by experts from St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, St. Augustine Police Department, St. Augustine Beach Police Department, EPIC Community Services, Inc., the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the St. Johns County School District.  Together, this PACT Coalition subcommittee brings together community members passionate about targeting this epidemic.

• Town Hall Meeting
An annual event in which brings together national, state, and local experts to participate in a community discussion on the substance abuse issues facing St. Johns County.  The event includes time for the experts to interact with the audience.

• Surviving the Teenage Years
The presentation gives an overview of the most prevalent risks for middle and high school students today.  Afterwards, service providers representing local agencies participate in an informational fair.  Parents can receive materials and speak directly with experts who can address their areas of concern.  This initiative is recommended for parents of middle school aged children.  Presentations are available for groups of all sizes throughout the county.

• From Elementary to Middle School:  Helping You Both Make the Transition
This program will help parents understand how their child’s physical and emotional development is impacted by the social changes that occur during this important transition.  Parents will learn not only about the difficulties they will face but also receive strategies to help their child overcome these challenges and have a GREAT middle school experience. This initiative is recommended for parents of elementary school aged children.

• From Middle to High School:  Reducing the Risks
The parents of eighth grade students often have anxiety over their child’s transition from middle to high school.  This presentation on the potential pitfalls of high school is intended to give parents a look into high school today and learn strategies to strengthen the protection they want to give their children.  This initiative is recommended for parents of middle school aged children.

• Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
As part of the partnership between PACT and its fiscal agent, EPIC Community Services, Inc., the coalition funds the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.  EPIC’s Bullying Prevention Program is a multi-level, multi-component, school-based program designed to reduce or prevent bullying through creating a change in school climate and providing intervention for youth and families. This program is currently being offered at two county middle schools.

• PACT © Community Alcohol Survey
In order to achieve our mission, the coalition needs an accurate picture of the attitudes and behaviors in our community.  The PACT Community Alcohol Survey© will help us learn about alcohol attitudes and use by children and teens in our community.  We worked with an independent evaluation team, Health-Tech Consultants, Inc., to develop and process the survey and analyze the results.  A final report has been issued.[click here to read that report]

• Safe Prom
As part of a comprehensive underage drinking campaign, PACT along with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and St. Johns County Fire Rescue produce this live action DUI reenactment.  The productions are offered at two high schools during the week leading up to the prom.

PACT Member Sponsored Initiatives



• Alcohol Compliance Checks - St. Johns County Sheriffs Office
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is conducting alcohol licensing compliance checks in collaboration with the Florida Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Enforcement Bureau.  This cooperative effort gives local law enforcement additional resources to enforce underage drinking laws and demonstrates to retailers the seriousness of non-compliance.

• Ancient City Kids Day - Various Community Agencies
Team of Community Agencies held in conjunction with National Red Ribbon Week (substance abuse disorders prevention) and Make a Difference Day in October, this event is a free, fun day for families to spend quality time together.

• Parent to Parent—EPIC Community Services, Inc.
A free parenting program designed to keep healthy families healthy.

• Prevention Education Curriculum—St. Johns County School District and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Classes are designed to deliver prevention messages and give students the tools to make safe choices.  They are taught at both the elementary and middle school levels.  The instructors are school district staff from the Safe and Drug Free Schools department and School Resource Officers from the Sheriff’s Office.

• Red Ribbon Week—St. Johns County School District
A national initiative to raise awareness about substance abuse disorders prevention.  The coalition participates in school and community based activities to increase awareness of substance abuse prevention.

• Reindeer Run—Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)
Students Working Against Tobacco's annual Reindeer Run, a 1.5-mile event that precedes the St. Augustine Christmas parade. The run, which is open to all ages, completed its nineth run in 2007.   PACT supports the Reindeer Run and other SWAT initiatives through grant funds.