At the Alachua County Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW) Coalition, our mission is simple but powerful: to build a safe, healthy, and drug-free community. Every day, we work alongside students, families, schools, and community partners to prevent substance use and support positive outcomes for youth across Alachua County.
Empowering Youth Through Education
Education is at the heart of what we do. Each year, HPW reaches an estimated 1,500 middle and high school students through interactive programs like Know the Law, Youth Summit, and school-based presentations. These sessions go beyond lectures—students practice refusal skills, learn healthy coping strategies, and engage in meaningful conversations about substance use and mental health.
We also support parents and caregivers through family sessions that provide tools for starting honest discussions at home. From conversation guides to “Hidden in Plain Sight” activities, we help families stay informed about emerging trends and create supportive environments for their children.
Creating Drug-Free Spaces for Connection
HPW believes young people deserve safe spaces to have fun without the pressure to use substances. Our community events—including Friday Night Done Right, Town Hall, and the annual Run for Your Life 5K Color Run—bring students and families together for positive experiences that strengthen connections and promote healthy choices.
The Run for Your Life 5K Color Run, our largest annual fundraiser, honors those impacted by the opioid crisis while offering a day filled with games, color stations, local resources, and family-friendly activities. On average, the event brings together 165 participants each year, showing the power of community when we come together for a shared cause.
Reducing Access to Substances
Prevention also means addressing access. Through compliance checks and safe medication disposal programs, HPW works to reduce underage access to alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs. Since 2019, we’ve helped collect over 1,000 pounds of unused or expired medications during National DEA Drug Take Back Days—keeping harmful substances out of homes and protecting both youth and the environment.
We also provide free drug disposal tools and medication lockboxes to families, making it easier to store prescriptions safely at home.
Youth Leading the Way
Our Youth Coalition plays a vital role in shaping HPW’s work. Middle and high school students help design campaigns, volunteer at events, educate their peers, and offer insight into what matters most to young people today. Their voices guide our programs and remind us that prevention is strongest when youth are part of the solution.
Join Us
Building a healthier community takes all of us. Whether you’re a parent, student, local business owner, or community partner, there are many ways to get involved—from volunteering at events to joining the Coalition or supporting our programs.
Together, we can continue creating opportunities for connection, education, and hope—helping Alachua County’s youth grow up safe, supported, and empowered.
Be part of the change. Join HPW Coalition today.