In Western Kentucky, Graves County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy and Prevention (ASAP) is showing what’s possible when young people are trusted to lead. At the heart of their work is the Mayfield-Graves County Youth Council, a group of students who lead campaigns and events to further the coalition’s prevention efforts.
Led by Executive Director Courtney Jeffries, the coalition began as a grassroots response to rising substance use, uniting educators, law enforcement, public health professionals, youth, and concerned families around a shared goal. Today, the coalition plans and executes events with the aim of promoting mental health, preventing substance use, and bringing the community together.
The community still faces serious challenges, including generational substance use, limited access to mental health care, and long-term recovery from the 2021 tornado. Jeffries notes, “The storm not only caused physical destruction but also left emotional and mental trauma, especially among youth. Recovery has been ongoing, and the need for support, safe spaces, and connectedness remains more important than ever.”
They have hosted a range of events, such as Friday Night Done Right that offers a safe and substance-free space for teenagers after football games. The event has become a local favorite and serves as a low-pressure way for students to unwind in a fun and casual environment. They’re also behind the You Are Loved campaign, which is designed to support mental health by creating moments of encouragement and connection at school events. At sports games and other gatherings, the Youth Council sets up booths with mental health resources, passes out notes of encouragement and self-care tips, and gives peers simple tools that they can use to check in on each other.
One of their most visible efforts has been their Take Down Tobacco school tour, which brought presentations and discussions to every school in the district. Led entirely by students, the campaign focused on the risks of nicotine and vaping and offered support for peers who wanted to quit. Post-event surveys showed a 60% increase in student awareness, and several students reached out for help within days.
Additionally, after attending CADCA’s National Leadership Forum in February, Youth Council members came back with fresh ideas and a stronger framework for community change. Since then, they’ve launched a range of new prevention campaigns like Chalk the Walk and the Kindness Campaign. As a result, they’ve expanded peer education through school clubs and helped lead various programs.
Interested in getting involved? The coalition welcomes volunteers, youth participants, and community advocates to join. Interested parties can attend events, help conduct outreach, or join the Youth Council or adult coalition. Residents can follow the coalition on social media or reach out via www.gcasap.org to learn more.
