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  • From left, Pat Troutman, JoAnn Pierce and Paula Thomas, are ready for a new year to promote the 3D Drug Coalition. Pierce and Troutman are co-chairpersons of the organization this year. Toni Hopper

    3D Coalition
August 29, 2010

3D takes on new leaders

Pierce, Troutman team up to chair coalition

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Three women represent the 3D Drug Free Community Coalition, but they are only the front faces of an effort of many, to tackle one of the toughest issues facing Stephens County residents.

Drug abuse.

Pat Troutman and  Dr. JoAnn Pierce are the new co-chairman of 3D, and behind them is Paula Thomas, who has been with the organization for two years.

Pierce is a familiar face among Duncan parents and students, with a distinguished background in the Oklahoma education system. In 2006, she was one of three Distinguished Principals in Oklahoma.

“I worked for Duncan Public Schools for 35 years. Kids are my business,” Pierce said. “Helping our children to move forward with promise is an ongoing call for me.”

Pierce is adamant that something needs to be done to combat the ever-growing drug problem residents face.

“Since my husband is a pharmacist it bothers us that our children are abusing prescription drugs right here in Duncan,” she said. “It upsets us that teenagers use prescription drugs to get high for the first time.”

Pierce said that many of the children access those drugs right in the comfort of their own homes.

“The good news — there are steps you can take to  help protect your kids from prescription drug abuse, monitor, secure and dispose.”

Pierce has been a faculty consultant for the HOPE Foundation for four years and adjunct professor for Cameron University teaching curriculum and supervision.

Troutman is a court liaison with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Support Division and lives in Marlow. She has worked in CSD for 10 years and with ODHS for 28 years.

“I see the 3D as a way not only to make community contacts that may help me in my job, but also a way of giving back to the community,” she said. “Although I live in Marlow, this organization benefits not only Duncan, but the whole county.”

As a court liaison for Oklahoma Child Support Services in Duncan and Chickasha, Troutman sees firsthand the barriers many parents face. Her job includes working with noncustodial parents in Stephens County and also in Jefferson, Grady and Caddo counties.

“If we can help our children stay away from drugs and alcohol, we will produce better adults, which in turn become better parents,” she said. Many of the parents Troutman works with have their own barriers to hurdle just in meeting child support obligations.

Thomas, who helps coordinate many of the meetings and workshops for 3D, is a prevention specialist for the Wichita Mountains Prevention Network for three years. She has served as a temporary chairperson of 3D for the past year.

She continues to attend training and furthers her education in a wide range of subjects directly related to the 3D mission. That includes substance abuse prevention, coalition building, community mobilization and organizing and evidenced-based prevention strategies.

Pierce sums up the reasons why so many people are involved and why others should consider 3D.

“Our children turn to prescription drugs, alcohol and smoking to be cool or to escape reality. All of us in our community need to be involved in helping our children cope with daily stresses and worries,” she said.

3D is a Dream Duncan’s Destiny project.



— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.

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