Local News
Drug Free Community Coalition ready to start work
First open forum is scheduled
DUNCAN — In the aftermath of the 30-minute Crystal Darkness state-wide television program earlier this year, it may seem that not much has been accomplished, but that would be a wrong assumption.
Dave Narducci, who headed the Crystal Darkness campaign for Stephens County, will also head the aftermath of that campaign for Stephens County, called the Drug Free Community Coalition, which will hold its first community wide forum 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 10 at the Simmons Center.
“I feel real good about that date,” Narducci said. “I’ve led two forums already. One was in Le Flore County and the other was in McAlister.”
According to a press release to The Banner, the coalition seeks to better collaborate, coordinate and focus efforts to achieve the shared goals of a a drug free community.
The coalition officially came into being after about 15 people volunteered at a luncheon with Narducci on May 15 to help get the coalition rolling.
“Now we just got to put some more structure to it,” Narducci said.
Part of that structure will come into being once the coalition gets some funding from grants for its purposes. A mentoring grant has already been applied for, but Narducci is waiting for the July 10 forum to occur because that will allow them to seek out even more money.
And it will be at that forum where the overall structure of the coalition will form when the community-wide action plan is created.
“That’s the most important thing,” Narducci said. “We spend all day to get to this. It’s the culmination of the Crystal Darkness campaign.”
The purpose of the action plan is to develop a list of problem areas that are specific for the county that need to be solved.
“We’ll determine what the hindrances are to our goals and how we are going to deal with those hindrances,” he said.
The action plan will be specific to Stephens County whose purpose will be to implement state approved evidence based programs, he said.
Those evidence based programs are approved for state and federal funding programs and grants.
Wichita Mountain, an area prevention resource center in Lawton, will assist Narducci in getting the forum and coalition rolling.
- Local News
-
-
Simmons Center prepares for Senior Games
For the past 15 years, the Simmons Center has had one day dedicated to getting people, ages 50 and older, moving and having fun.
-
A.M. Update: Gulf oil rig explodes off La. coast
An offshore oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, west of the site of the April blast that caused the massive oil spill.
-
Assault on Main Street
A young woman was assaulted around noon Wednesday at Main and Sixth Streets, and an investigation is being conducted by Duncan Police Department, said Sgt. John Webb.
-
P.M. update: Empire soldier killed in Afghanistan
Empire native and Army Ranger, Vinson Bryon “Trinity” Adkinson III was killed Tuesday in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device (IED) that exploded near his unit, killing him and four additional soldiers.
-
SCHD undergoes renovations
The Stephens County Health Center has quietly been undergoing renovations since June of this year, and while it may not look it from the outside, the employees and clients can tell you there’s a lot going on behind the outside walls.
-
Funding for school safety gets ‘F’
The main objective of any school is to educate its students. Safety is one of the pillars necessary to uphold a good education for every student at any given school. The same is true for Duncan Public Schools.
-
Reading, discussion series to look at myths
Just about everyone knows one myth. And by the time the Duncan Public Library is done, some people will know even more.
-
Storm reaction
Lightning, strong winds and dry plains teamed up Tuesday afternoon to create a wildfire that consumed 10 acres.
-
P.M. Update: Fast-moving fire puts emergency units in motion
A fire near Fuller Road on U.S. Highway 81 has at least five fire departments responding, as well as Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Stephens County Sheriff's Department.
-
Hero luncheon nears
Heroes were catapulted into the spotlight when the most horrific act of terrorism took place on American soil in Sept. 11, 2001.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Simmons Center prepares for Senior Games






