Northeastern PA . . . Working together in Hazleton, PA has created an organization that appears to work! Various segments of the local community, including government officials, police officers and a wide array of general citizenry joined together in November 1997 to create the Greater Hazleton Area Drug Free Task Force and formulated various idea's including the drafting of a local ordinance dealing with drug paraphernalia and maintaining a 'Drug Tip Hotline', both of which, to this day, are very successful.

The group, through it's local state representative and school board, applied for and received two grants totaling $21,000 which was used to purchase 975 'DRUG FREE SCHOOL ZONE' signs. These signs (one pictured at right) were distributed and erected in many local communities in Luzerne, Carbon and Schuylkill Counties. The group has recently made arrangements to place 30,000 place-mats in local businesses and restaurants in an effort to deliver their effective alcohol awareness message. The Task Force hasn't stopped there!

Other efforts to promote public awareness and emphasize the anti-substance abuse message include television appearances, an annual Community Drug Awareness Forum, the K-Mart Race Against Drugs and an award winning float in local parades. The Task Force was featured in a United States Information Agency's internet article which resulted in members being invited to speak in Iceland & Cyprus! See what community involvement can do!

If you wish to learn more about this drug task force, you can leave them a message on their voice mail cell phone at 570-436-2645. They can also be contacted by e-mail at ghadftf@hotmail.com. They would love to share their idea's for success with other communities.