Debi Bair, vice chairperson of Sallisaw NOW, said the coalition is being funded through a grant that Cherokee Nation's Community Anti-drug Network received. As part of the grant, the tribe is forming coalitions in communities, with Sallisaw selected as a site.
"This one in Sallisaw is called NOW - New Opportunities Working," Bair said.
The Sallisaw coalition is currently forming a board.
"We are trying to set some programs in place that work," Bair said.
She pointed out that many coalitions have come in and out of the town, with people working hard, but their efforts have been fruitless.
For this coalition, members have attended trainings to learn how to collect data on all different areas so the coalition knows where the real problems are in the community.
Bair confirmed that drugs will be the main problem the group is tackling.
"This is not a drug treatment program," Bair emphasized. "This is a prevention program."
She said they want to find out what the problems are before they happen.
People involved in the coalition have to undergo specialized training, collect data about issues in the community and set up programs to address those issues. Someone will then be hired to head up the program that is developed.
Bair said they have coalition officers, including Shaloa Edwards, chair; Bair, vice chair; Julie Ferguson, who is assisting Edwards; Destry Dobbs, who is assisting Bair; and Cappuccina Dority, treasurer.
"We're really excited about it," Bair said.
She said many people attending the meetings are people who are bringing good ideas to the meetings.
"We want to see something work," she said, adding that the coalition has money to make it happen.
So far they have had several meetings, which are public.
"We want people to get involved," she said, noting that they would like to receive input from people who really care.
