ABOUT
​MISSION AND HISTORY
The group encourages efforts in Monroe County to reduce problems caused by alcohol and drug abuse. It seeks to increase awareness on ways to combat alcohol and other drug problems, increase cooperation among community members and service organizations, and recommend projects to be funded through the local Drug Free Community Fund.
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The fund is made up of local dollars collected through court fees. The fund can only be used to carry out recommended actions in the group's comprehensive plan, which is updated annually. The plan includes an assessment of local alcohol and other abuse problems in the country, a compilation of existing services and programs available in the county, a list of proposed actions, and a method of evaluating the success of the plan's strategies.
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The local coordinating council makes recommendations to the county commissioners for the allocation of funds.
How can you be involved?
CARES Board meetings are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend. CARES also has meetings throughout the year specific to the areas of treatment, justice, and prevention. The meetings offer a great way to become more active in the community.
Please contact us for more information!
The Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana
The local coordinating council was formed in 1991 in association with the former Governor Evan Bayh's anti-drug initiative, which created the Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana.
The commission is charged with providing the vision, expertise, and leadership for the development of a statewide strategy including prevention, education, intervention, treatment, and justice.
The primary goal of the commission is to coordinate efforts at both the state and local levels on the theory that approaching the complex problem of drugs on multiple fronts requires communication, coordination, and collaboration. At a local level, the commission assists the local councils in developing comprehensive local plans.