helping hands over Anderson ValleyAnderson Valley Community Action Coalition

Our mission is to unite the Anderson Valley community in efforts that promote community health through grassroots organizing to reduce the presence of drugs in the community and prevent youth substance abuse.

About AVCAC: How It Started

In March of 2002, Anderson Valley residents had had enough. The violence and health issues associated with meth and marijuana production and use in the community were getting worse, not better. Determined not to let illegal drugs take over their community, they convened a community forum aimed at finding solutions. Although Anderson Valley is not the only Mendocino County community with a meth problem, it is unusual in its determination to do something about it—that first community forum drew 325 residents, more than 10% of the entire population in the valley!

Since that first meeting, AVCAC’s has engaged the support and participation of county government representatives. These include the Sheriff’s Office and the Departments of Public Health, Mental Health, Social Services, and Probation. Business owners, teachers, and community members serve on its committees and continually review old and new ways to address issues of drug production and abuse in our community, especially among youth.

Currently, active committees include:

  • The Steering Committee, responsible for action planning.
  • The Interagency Action Group, serving as liaison for public policy, law enforcement, integration with county services, and advocacy.
  • The InfoFlow Committee, responsible for communication and information dissemination through a quarterly newsletter.
  • The School Activities and Programs Committee, coordinating prevention curricula, school climate improvement, policies and procedures, special activities and events, after school programming, etc.

Because AVCAC does not have 501(c)(3) status, AVUSD serves as the fiscal agent for the DFC grant. By intention, no bylaws or other operating rules have been adopted, and governance and leadership structure remain informal.

AVCAC is co-coordinated by Donna Pierson-Pugh and Colleen Schenck. For more information on how you can get involved, call 895-2146.