The Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, initiated in 1989, exemplifies a public/private partnership to prevent alcoholism and drug abuse at the community action level.  The Alliance is funded by penalties incurred from drug-related offenses called Drug Enforcement Demand Reduction (DEDR) funds.

There are 61 active municipalities in the Bergen County Alliance, or 87% of all towns.  The Alliance endorses asset building as a way to foster resiliency, particularly for youth in Bergen County.  There were more than 500 Alliance sponsored programs and events implemented in 2008, targeting all age groups.  Examples of programs include:  D.A.R.E., G.R.E.A.T., peer leadership programs, parenting workshops, alcohol and drug free activities like dances and Project Graduation, and other community-wide events.

In preparation for the 2009 – 2011 funding cycle, all participating municipalities conducted a needs assessment of their community and attended a mandatory training on the revised guidelines and application process from the funding source; the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA).  Each participating municipality then submitted an application for the three-year grant cycle of 2009, 2010 and 2011 for substance abuse prevention programming specific to the needs of their community.  Municipal Alliance program activities are directly related to the priorities identified through the needs assessment and planning process.

In 2009, the GCADA required that Municipal Alliances must implement evidence-based prevention practices and programs and must also conduct ongoing program evaluation, which includes the measurement of outcomes that will serve as the basis for prevention program decision making and development.

Training initiatives will be offered each year for Municipal Alliance Committee members.  Upcoming trainings will include regionalization of Municipal Alliances, evidence-based vendor’s forum and program evaluation.