GPAC Members

The Strategic Prevention Framework is an approach to preventing substance abuse on the community level (See “What is Prevention”). It was devised by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which funded Colorado to test the Framework in local settings. Guidance of 14 Colorado pilot projects is provided by the state’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. In Garfield County, the GPAC is responsible for implementing the Strategic Prevention Framework.

The GPAC is composed of members who have a countywide public policy and/or leadership role, who see the relevance of substance abuse prevention to achieving their own goals, and who welcome the opportunity to improve the quality of life for county residents by reducing substance abuse. These organizations contribute members:

- Garfield County Department of Human Services

- 9th Judicial District Court

- 9th Judicial District Probation

- District Attorney’s Office

- Garfield County School District RE-1

- Garfield County School District RE-2

- Garfield County School District RE-16

- Rifle Police Department

- Garfield County Public Health

- Grand River Medical Center, Rifle Colorado

- Colorado Mountain College

- Garfield County Board of County Commissioners

- Colorado Department of Revenue – Western Slope Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement

- West Slope CASA

- Colorado West Regional Mental Health Centers

GPAC Vision
The GPAC envisions communities that:

Understand their need for programs that prevent substance abuse;

Are informed about and allocate their own direct and indirect support of effective prevention activities;

Deliver evidence-based programs; and

Evaluate these to improve the reduction of substance abuse for children and adults.

GPAC Activities

Needs Assessment The GPAC conducted a countywide needs assessment. Professionals working on the “front lines” with youth and adults, including social services caseworkers, public health nurses, counselors, medical providers, and others participated in the needs assessment by giving their knowledge of program feasibility, the necessary resources for programs, their understanding of community customs, cultures, and traditions, and their wise appreciation for “how things get done” in Garfield County communities. Parents and teenage members added their own valuable perspectives. Substance abuse and related data were also used in the needs assessment

Community Selection

The GPAC selected two communities for implementation of the Strategic Prevention Framework: Rifle, Colorado, in the western region of the county and the Spring Valley residential campus of Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs. Both were considered areas of concern for use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Strategic Plan

In the first quarter of 2007, the GPAC wrote its initial strategic plan.