Oceanside CA—Members of the North Coastal Prevention Youth Coalition (NCPYC) presented an annual update to adult coalition members at NCPC’s monthly meeting held July 11, 2019 at Tri-City Medical Center. Highlights included campaigns to increase public awareness of local social host/house party ordinances, conducting community forums, and advocating against commercial marijuana business in North County.

NCPC President Craig Balben presented Gabriel Dorantes with the first annual Youth Honorary Service award for his four years of commitment and dedication to NCPC through the “Be the Resistance Club” (BTR) at Oceanside High School.
Gabriel has been a strong advocate for substance abuse prevention in his community. Since 2015, he has attended and spoken at Oceanside City Council meetings in support of numerous efforts that include the adoption of an ordinance to ban smoking on outdoor restaurant patios; adopting an ordinance to prevent fast food restaurants from selling alcohol; and an ordinance to ban stores from selling spice and synthetic drugs. He has also been outspoken against allowing commercial marijuana businesses and selling alcohol in movie theaters. To prepare for these advocacy campaigns, Gabriel has also participated in data collection and community outreach. He has gone door to door in neighborhoods, shopping centers, and other venues to get input from the community, as well as conducted youth purchase surveys to monitor tobacco sales to minors.
A video showcasing Gabriel’s involvement is posted on NCPC’s website here: http://northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org/whats-new/