Prevention & TRACC

The History of Prevention Department & TRACC Coalition

Tangipahoa Parish Government’s Prevention Department and TRACC Coalition was formalized to address substance abuse issues facing our parish. The purpose of this coalition is to decrease harmful risks for our citizens and improve the quality of life in our community. Tangipahoa-Reshaping Attitudes for Community Change (TRACC) Coalition was formed in 2008 when the parish received funding from the Federal Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG). The Coalition uses the Strategic Prevention Framework Process to access & address alcohol and drug abuse issues.

TRACC Vision Statement

The coalition, through the Prevention Department, works toward creating a healthy attitude and community wellness for all Tangipahoa Parish citizens by recognizing and addressing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse as a serious social and public health issue.

Ways We are Working to Achieve Our Vision

We have created a Multi-Agency DWI Taskforce & a Multi-Agency Underage Drinking Taskforce. The Taskforces provide alcohol restrictions at public events for underage youth by using bracelets and increasing the number of trained law enforcement officers assigned to work these events.

There is a parish-wide public awareness campaigns that TRACC uses to get our message out to all citizens. We have had billboards, flyers, and television & radio ads placed throughout the parish. The staff provides information to civic and student groups to share the risks and dangers of drug use in the community.

• Youth Initiatives
  • Youth & Law Enforcement Partnership Forum (Kids & Cops Meetings)
  • Youth Leadership Annual Forum
  • KEYS Alliance Youth Leadership & Student Crime Stoppers Program
    
    
• Community Outreach Initiatives
  • “In the Zone” Family Friendly Mardi Gras & Christmas Parade Events
  • Tailgating at SLU Events
  • Annual Town Hall Meetings
    
    
• Community & Traffic Safety Initiatives
  • Law Enforcement Partnerships – Parish-wide DWI Task Force
  • Law Enforcement Training Opportunities
  • Annual Teen Drivers Safety Events/Activities

Regular Monthly Meetings TRACC Facilitates:

• TRACC Coalition – 3d Friday of each month at 12 noon
  
  
• TRACC Law Enforcement Task Force – 1st Wed of each month at 10am
  
  
• KEYS Alliance Teen Leaders – 3rd Monday of each monthly at 5:30pm

Annual Activities/Events Facilitated By Prevention Dept & TRACC

• In the Zone Event for Hammond Mardi Gras Parade
• Teen “National Kick Butts Day” Event, planned by KEYS Alliance (March)
• National Alcohol Prevention Awareness Month (April)
• National Underage Drinking Prevention Week (April)
• Annual National Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking (Usually in April)
• Annual Youth Leaders Forum (April)
• Annual Project Graduation for LHS (May)
• KEYS Alliance Youth Leaders Annual Training (June/July)
• High School Jamborees Info Sharing (Aug)
• National Teen Drivers Safety Month (Oct)
• Red Ribbon Week (Oct)
• In the Zone Event for Hammond Christmas Parade