About Us
Bristol Eliminating Substance Use Together (B.E.S.T.-4-Bristol)
Teaming Up for a Drug Free Community
Bristol Eliminating Substance Use Together (B.E.S.T.-4-Bristol) is a Drug-Free Community Coalition that began in the early 1990s as the Bristol Youth Prevention Council. In the twenty-five years since, the Coalition’s name may have changed, but its focus on reducing youth substance abuse has remained constant.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission is to work toward unifying the community to promote wellness in our culture through increasing education, implementing strategies and enforcing policy to prevent substance abuse by youth and those who impact their development.
Our Vision is to develop a culture of awareness and sustained action that will promote positive youth development and a healthier community.
Our Purpose
1. To engage and collaborate with the community
2. To prevent as many Bristol youth as possible from turning to drugs and alcohol
How We Accomplish Our Mission
B.E.S.T.-4-Bristol plans to use a comprehensive approach to achieve its goals. In order to make an impactful and lasting difference, the entire community–parents, teachers, youth, police, health care providers, faith communities, business and civic leaders and others–have to be involved and working together. Once this is accomplished, specific prevention initiatives and programs can then be planned.
If you would like a more detailed look into the types of strategies that coalitions like B.E.S.T-4-Bristol use to promote drug-free communities, check out these links.
Our People: Coalition's 12 Sector Leaders
-
-
Government Sector
Marco Palmeri, M.P.H., R.S.
Director of Health Bristol-Burlington Health District & designee Catherine Plourde, BSN, RN
Visit Website -
Youth Sector
Juan Calderon
Bristol High School Student
-
School Sector
Dr. Catherine Carbone
Assistant Superintendent of Bristol Schools & designee Chris Cassin, Supervisor of Athletics Physical Education & Health of Bristol Schools
Visit Website -
-
Civic/Volunteer Organization Sector
-
Healthcare Professional Sector
Susan Walkama, LCSW
President and CEO of Wheeler Clinic and designee TBA of Wheeler Clinic
Visit Website -
Parent Sector
Laura Lewis
Bristol Parent and Resident
-
Youth Serving Sector
Michael Suchopar
President & CEO of BBGC, and designee D’Andre Esposito, West Street Unit Director at BBCG
Visit Website -
Other Organization Involved with Reducing Substance Use Sector
-
Law Enforcement Sector
-
Media Sector
Community Health Worker
