Holly Area Community Coalition Reports Decline in Teenage Drinking
(Lara Mossa, June 20, 2023)
HOLLY, MI – There has been a gradual yet substantial decline in youth drinking in the Holly area in the past 25 years due in part to efforts such as the Holly Area Community Coalition. In 1997, youth who reported using alcohol in the past 30 days was 50 percent for twelfth-grade students and more than 40 percent of tenth graders. In 2022, the data showed that approximately 20 percent of eleventh-grade students and 10 percent of ninth-grade students reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days, according to information from the Coalition.
“Our mission and vision really is to work in partnership with the community to empower our youth to make positive choices,” said Susan Papple, Project Director for the HACC. “That’s our mission and what we work for every day.”
Based in Holly, the HACC provides substance use and prevention services for the area, which includes the village of Holly, Davisburg, Springfield Township, Groveland Township, Holly Township and parts of White Lake Township, Papple explained. The Coalition works closely with the Holly Area Schools district and focuses on alcohol, marijuana, vaping and prescription drugs, among other issues.
The Coalition is heavily involved in programming for youth in school and after school programs but also does communitywide services. Some of the projects range from planning substance-free family events such as tailgating at the local football games to holding small meetings in libraries or churches. Other examples include town hall meetings, health fairs and Youth Dialogue Day, which included discussions among 60 high school students and 10 community leaders. Fundraising events are held as well.
Along with the schools, HACC partners with agencies such as the Holly Police Department, the Holly Fire Department and the Downtown Development Agency to provide awareness on substance use.
The Coalition’s roots date back to 1998 when Holly Middle School used a federal grant to provide prevention services within the school and the community. The HACC officially formed in 2000, with funding from Oakland County, the federal government and the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Community. Papple runs the Coalition along with three other staff members and 10 board of directors.
In November, the Coalition held a special banquet with a speaker and dinner to commemorate the group’s anniversary. The event included honoring partners and original board members as well as youth who were involved in the program 10 to 15 years ago.
“We’re always looking for anyone that has a passion for youth to be part of the Coalition, Papple added. For more information, go to www.hollycommunitycoalition.com.
