Environmental Prevention

Environmental Prevention empowers communities to change attitudes and beliefs that lead to substance abuse and related problems such as gangs and youth violence through laws, policies, and practices. We bring community members and organizations together in coordinated strategies using media, policies, ordinances, community organization, and capacity building. In empowering community members, we support them to make long-lasting changes that reduce substance abuse by changing what has been acceptable in their community.

Reach Out’s Environmental Prevention Partnerships

The West End Gangs and Drugs Task Force

Reach Out is partnered with the West End Gangs and Drugs Task Force, whose plan is to continually provide regional leadership and action in reducing the negative influence of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as gang violence in the West End of San Bernardino County. Participants have the opportunity to join work groups to advance the Task Force’s vision into an action plan for the West End communities.

The West End Task Force is comprised of community members, schools, law enforcement, businesses, clergy, local government, plus local parents and youth all interested in reducing negative influences of substance abuse, violence and gang activity in the county.

The West End Gangs and Drugs Task Force is part of the countywide San Bernardino Gangs and Drugs Task Force. The Task Force was established in 1989 as a community response to increase awareness and to ensure the safety and development of local youth.

The West End Gangs and Drugs Task Force held its inaugural meeting on February 23 in Ontario. Supervisor Gary Ovitt and County Superintendent Gary Thomas challenged the 150 attendees to seize this opportunity and reach out to strengthen the community. Since that first meeting, members have met monthly to define a community action planning process that resulted in the formation of two work groups: the Substance Abuse group and the Gang and Violence group. The focus of the groups is to encourage a spirit of action in the community and achieve viable results.

Anyone interested in joining or learning about the Task Force is encouraged to attend. Participants are invited to join workgroups to advance the Task Force’s vision into an action plan for the West End communities.

For more information on the West End Gangs and Drugs Task Force, please email
wegdtf@we-reachout.org or contact Richard Hernandez at 909.560.6644

The Fontana Community Coalition
Reach Out is also part of the Fontana Community Coalition which focuses on creating and maintaining safe, healthy and drug-free communities. Currently, the Coalition is working on reducing underage access to alcohol through development of a Social Host Ordinance as well as promotion of alcohol-free events.

Fontana Community Coalition Monthly Meetings
4th Wed of every month
Meetings are held at the Fontana City Hall
Development Services Organization Building in the “D.A.B.” room
8353 Sierra Avenue, Fontana

For more information on the Fontana Community Coalition, please email fcc@we-reachout.org or contact Mike Parmer at 909.982.8641

The Reach Out Environmental Prevention program, supported in part by the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, is focused on reducing and preventing underage alcohol use. Cities we are partnering with include Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Montclair, and Upland.