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OUR HISTORY

The West Haven Drug & Alcohol Task Force (renamed West Haven Prevention Council) was incorporated in 1985 through the State of Connecticut’s Office of the Secretary of the State. The committee was formed as a result of concerns voiced from the public school system’s PTA around issues of youth substance abuse.

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Today, the WHPC exists to provide prevention education and resources to parents/caregivers and local youth about the risks associated with substance use.  In 2020, WHPC has been awarded numerous grants to develop dedicated awareness tools addressing youth alcohol use, vaping and marijuana use, as well as mental health.

COALITION MEMBERS

12 Community Sectors | Committed to the Cause

 Drug Free Community (DFC) Coalitions are made up of community leaders representing twelve sectors that organize to meet the local prevention needs of the youth and families in their communities. Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our members are the backbone of West Haven Prevention Council. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop. 

YOUTH

MacKenzie Gardner

PARENTS

Heather Shea* | PTA
Kim Kenny

BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Rick Altschuler | Altschuler and Altschuler Attorneys at Law

MEDIA

Alan Olenick | West Haven Voice

SCHOOLS

Dana Paredes* | Principal |
West Haven High School

James Turcio* | West Haven School System

YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS

Troy Zane | DCF Milford Office

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Audrey Jefferson | West Haven Police Department

RELIGIOUS OR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

Pastor Carl Howard | First Congregational Church of West Haven

CIVIC OR VOLUNTEER GROUPS

Jason Crockett | West Haven Rotary

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Meredith Lall | Bridges Healthcare

Jill Grego | Nursing Supervisor |
West Haven Board of Education 

Maureen Lillis | Director, Health Department | City of West Haven

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Dorinda Borer | State Representative

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN REDUCING SUBSTANCE MISUSE (TREATMENT PROVIDERS)

Thomas McMahon, PhD |
West Haven Mental Health Clinic

Michelle Comas, PhD|
West Haven Mental Health Clinic

Vianette Hernandez, LCSW |
Clifford Beers Clinic

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