I would like to address the concerns of the writer who recently noted problems in our community with underage drinking and what he or she feels is a lack of prevention effort being put forth by Grand Futures Prevention Coalition. It is always easy to criticize anonymously.

First of all, Moffat County is the second largest land mass in Colorado. What this means for the one prevention coalition in the county is there is a lot of ground to cover. Secondly, we have one employee at Grand Futures. Rather than spend our scarce grant dollars on personnel, we try to save that money for programming that directly assists young people. So when you call the office and no one answers, that’s because the director is out working in the schools, or with mental health agencies, or with law enforcement, or with potential funders, or with the children directly. The list can go on.

Regarding the education, activities and programming, Grand Futures is partially, if not solely, responsible for Creating Lasting Family Connections program, “Splash” summer activity for youths, countless dances, health class presentations, a presentation of coalition materials at the county fair, Spring Expo and other community events, homecoming, prom and graduation media messages, liquor licensee compliance checks, extra law enforcement patrol for youth/school activities, Training for Intervention Procedures, referrals for parents with their concerns about their children who may be experimenting with alcohol, partial funding and organization of Red Ribbon Week activities, and last, but certainly not least, Grand Futures has a board of incredible individuals who take time out of their lives to support positive choices around drugs and alcohol by volunteering their time and expertise helping to