Overview The goal of the Coalition for a Drug Free Montrose County is to reduce drug, alcohol and tobacco addiction within the ten communities of Montrose County. The Coalition is comprised of 80 community stakeholders including: Law enforcement Schools Private citizens Health and human services Mental healthcare providers Medical professionals	Contact Coalition for a Drug Free Montrose County Email Ph: (970) 240-8784 Fx: (970) 249-7798 Hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - Noon Friday

Because the use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are identified problems in our county, the mission of our Coalition is to develop and implement a county-wide approach to awareness, prevention, enforcement and treatments of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use and abuse through science-based practices.

The economic and social impacts of use and abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco in Montrose County are real:

• Alcohol involvement is the first highest cause for arrest.  Drug involvement is the fifth highest cause for arrest.  Marijuana use continues to be a common offense.
• Youth under the age of 18 are engaging in binge drinking.  Alcohol-related traffic accidents and arrests are increasing.
• Based on a sample of adult felony drug court offenders in Montrose, Delta and Gunnison counties, the 7th Judicial District Drug Task Force reported that the drug of choice was 38% meth, 17% alcohol, 15% marijuana, 11% prescription drugs, 11% opiates, 4% cocaine and 4% amphetamines.
• In the last ten years, there has been a substantial increase in credit card forgery, check fraud and identify theft related to drug addiction due to the need to fund the addiction.
• Prescription drug and club drug activity is on the rise and designer drugs are entering the market, often skirting normal strategies aimed at regulation and detection.  These substances are very similar to illegal drugs in their chemical composition, effect and risks.
• Meth related activity, although down, is still a major problem.  The average age of use is 24, however, children as young as 12 have admitted to using meth.
• Alcohol and drug abusers miss work 2.5 times more frequently than non-users; they use 3 times the amount of sick leave as non-users; their workers’ compensation claims are 5 times higher; and they generally are less productive than non-users.