IT ALL STARTED WITH A STATISTIC...
812,000+ OPIOD PRESCRIPTIONS WERE GIVEN TO BARBOUR COUNTY RESIDENTS IN RECENT YEARS
In a region known for its prevalent drug use, poverty, and inadequate access to resources, we see what is possible for our home when we come together:
thriving, connected, healthy community systems.
Mission
The Bright Futures Barbour County Prevention Coalition’s mission and organizing principle is finding
ways to delay the early initiation of substance use among youth by consistently reducing the risk
factors and increasing protective factors available to young people in Barbour County.
Vision
The Bright Futures Barbour County Prevention Coalition’s vision is to improve the quality of life
and create a drug-free, healthy environment in Barbour County.
0
%
of non-substance-using youth participate in school sports, compared to just 67.9% of those who do not.
%
0
of youth who feel safe in their community believe they will have a successful future after high school.
0
%
of non-substance-using youth participate in religious or spiritual groups, compared to just 70.9% of those who do not participate.
MEET THE BRIGHT FUTURES BARBOUR COUNTY COALITION
OUR STORY
Barbour County, West Virginia is a rural Appalachian community made up of tight-knit towns, deep-rooted traditions, and a strong sense of identity. With a population of just over 15,000 residents spread across 341 square miles, the county is defined by its natural beauty, local pride, and resilience.
​
But like many rural communities, Barbour County faces significant challenges. Limited access to healthcare, higher rates of poverty, and generational substance use have created barriers that impact both individuals and families.
These challenges are not just statistics. They are lived realities that affect youth, schools, and the future of the community.​
Bright Futures Barbour County was created in response to a growing need: to address substance use not just through reaction, but through prevention.
​
In 2018, local leaders, including the Barbour County Health Department, New Vision, and other community partners, came together through a federally funded initiative to better understand the scope of substance use in the county. That collaboration led to the creation of Bright Futures, a county-wide prevention coalition built on one core belief:
​
When a community works together, it can change the trajectory of its youth's lives.
​
Since then, Bright Futures has grown into a collaborative network representing all sectors of the community. The coalition meets regularly, studies real data, and works together to strengthen what’s working while addressing what’s not.
Bright Futures focuses on delaying the early initiation of substance use by increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors for youth across Barbour County.
But this work doesn’t happen in isolation.
​
It looks like:
-
Supporting youth programs, sports, and extracurricular activities
-
Providing education and prevention resources to families and schools
-
Partnering with organizations to create meaningful opportunities for connection and growth
-
Building a county-wide network of support so no young person falls through the cracks​
Because prevention isn’t just about saying “no” to substances.
It’s about giving young people something better to say yes to.
Goal 1
Build and expand a county-wide coalition that brings together schools, families, organizations, and community leaders to work toward a shared prevention mission.
Goal 2
Actively involve youth in the coalition and expand their participation in programs, leadership opportunities, and community activities.
Goal 3
Promote and increase visibility of substance-free events, programs, and opportunities that give youth healthy alternatives and meaningful ways to connect.
Goal 4
Decrease youth use of alcohol and nicotine by increasing awareness of risk, strengthening family communication, and providing evidence-based prevention education.
