Nearly 20 years ago, American rock band The Goo Goo Dolls released a chart-topping song titled “Black Balloon,” a melodic yet haunting song given the nature of its topic: a woman wrestling with heroin addiction while a loved one struggles to save her.

The song’s vivid subject matter — substance abuse — is one that affects at least 9.4 percent of the American population ages 12 and older, either directly or indirectly, according to a 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

As national drug numbers continue to rise, local organizations such as the Monroe County Coalition for Drug-Free Communities are working to educate members of their surrounding areas and prevent substance abuse. Last year, the coalition, which is made up local community and school leaders and law enforcement officials, released figures from the 2014 Illinois Youth Survey outlining substance abuse issues among kids.

On Monday, the coalition met at the Monroe County YMCA, where it discussed the establishment of a number of initiatives over the next few months, including:
•Teen surveys and a Youth Advisory Board•Resiliency training for pre-K students through high school students
•The “Second Chance Program” meant to provide resources for families and children living with substance abuse issues
•A resource database to look for community leaders to organize treatment options for youth and their families
•A list of speakers willing to talk to the community about substance issues as well as broader issues

Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing served as guest speaker at the meeting. Rohlfing, who has served in office for 120 days, detailed cost-saving changes his department has already implemented. Two new K-9 units are soon to be put into service later this year, he added.

The sheriff also voiced his department’s desire to provide enhanced safety around the county and at the Monroe County Courthouse.
He also reiterated the department’s commitment to a drug-free county, noting recent successes that involved a local drug house being shut down as well as warrants pending on a couple of future drug busts.

The coalition plans to hold a Drug Awareness Forum in September and has asked for volunteers to help with planning and execution.

Those interested in more information on the drug-free coalition can email kdavis@roe45.org or cwesselmann@roe45.org.