Community Initiatives
The Partnership leads and supports prevention, education, and community-awareness efforts throughout St. Joseph County.
Annual Youth Video Contest
Each year, middle and high school students throughout St. Joseph County are invited to create a short video promoting healthy, drug-free choices.
Students respond to a new prevention-focused prompt, and we share selected videos with the community. We’ve also featured past winning videos as public service announcements on WNDU.
Our Mission
The mission of the Partnership for a Drug-Free St. Joseph County is to identify alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse problems in St. Joseph County and to plan, promote, and coordinate community efforts and resources to reduce the abuse among youth and, over time, among adults.
What We Do
Identify Local Needs
Use community knowledge, data, and stakeholder input to understand substance-use-related needs in St. Joseph County.
Plan & Coordinate
Bring organizations, agencies, and community members together to develop coordinated strategies and align local resources.
Promote Prevention & Education
Support community awareness, prevention education, presentations, and initiatives that encourage healthier choices.
Connect People With Resources
Help residents and organizations find local treatment, recovery, prevention, and support resources.
Our History
More than three decades of collaboration have shaped the Partnership’s role in addressing substance use throughout St. Joseph County.
1990
The St. Joseph County Local Coordinating Council begins as a community committee.
1992
The Local Coordinating Council joins forces with the St. Joseph County Coalition Against Drugs.
1993
Healthy Communities Initiative is created to strengthen collaboration around community health.
1996
The Drug Free Community Council is formed through a merger of community efforts and becomes the designated Local Coordinating Council for St. Joseph County.
2012
The organization becomes the Partnership for Education and Prevention of Substance Abuse (PEPSA).
2014
The Partnership becomes an independent coalition while continuing to serve as St. Joseph County’s Local Coordinating Council.
2020
The organization begins rebranding as the Partnership for a Drug-Free St. Joseph County.
Today
The Partnership convenes community members and stakeholders to build a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to reduce substance use and misuse.
Get Involved
Join local organizations and community members working together to strengthen prevention and collaboration across St. Joseph County.
Meet the Partnership
The Partnership is guided by community leaders and strengthened by organizations and individuals committed to addressing substance use throughout St. Joseph County.