Since 2005, Collaborating For Youth (CFY) has been serving Adams County in the capacity as a federally designated Drug Free Communities coalition.  Drug Free Communities (DFC) is a congressional initiative born out of the recognition that the best way to reduce substance abuse is to have communities come together to create positive change.

The 1997 Congressional Act established the Drug Free Communities Support Program which falls under the direction of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 

CFY collaborators have diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources. Our collaborators include: parents, youth, health care providers, youth service providers, enforcement agents, prevention specialists and educators, businesses, media, faith communities, volunteer organizations, and government agencies.  CFY engages in an evidence-based process of lowering substance abuse: collaborators assess problems, plan strategies, gather resources, carry out tasks, and evaluate the work.

As a Drug Free Communities coalition, CFY looks at creating population-level changes for Adams County that will be lasting.