HOUGHTON - A variety of groups are pooling their resources to combat underage drug use in the Copper Country. The Copper Country Coalition for a Drug-Free Community began holding meetings in January. The group, which is funded through a federal Drug-Free Community Support Grant, unveiled a draft of its strategic plan in September.

The draft lists the program's main goals as increasing protective factors and decreasing risk factors, while also limiting access to and availability of drugs.

Taryn Mack, a training and prevention specialist with Copper Country Mental Health, is coordinator for the coalition. She said the biggest target for change in the program is "for adults in the community to look at their own behavior and what things they need to do."

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