Positive Youth Coalition

About Us

The original youth coalition was established in 2019 at Duncan High School. In 2024, the decision was made to move the coalition to the middle school. After a youth-led rebranding, the Positive Youth Coalition (PYC) was born. Inspired, driven, and led by youth, our coalition’s mission is to empower youth with the tools and strategies to reduce and prevent substance abuse among young people, while promoting positive choices that support their overall behavioral health and well-being.

Our Work

Coalition Goals
Our overarching goal is to reduce substance abuse among youth and to provide the community with prevention education and awareness. To achieve this, we focus on the following specific objectives:

Promote anti-vaping and anti-substance use messaging through youth-led campaigns and targeted outreach.
Equip 6th grade students with refusal skills and strategies to resist peer pressure.
Offer leadership development opportunities for youth to grow as advocates for prevention.
Collaborate with schools to implement restorative discipline policies and prevention-based alternatives to suspension.
Engage families and community members through education, awareness events, and resource distribution.
Foster youth-adult partnerships that amplify young voices in shaping local prevention efforts.

Projects in Progress

Presenting to City Council for support and working with law enforcement to enforce existing city ordinances in the area behind the Simmons Center (which is city property), including assigning community service and fines to youth caught vaping, smoking, or drinking.
Working with school leadership to create restorative discipline for student offenders, including required vape education classes.
Educating peers about the dangers of vaping nicotine and other substances.
Visiting elementary schools to speak about prevention and healthy choices.
Raising awareness during Red Ribbon Week, Drug Awareness Month, and other themed prevention events.
Establishing informational stations throughout Duncan to provide educational materials on tobacco, marijuana, vaping, and community resources.

Accomplishments

Media & Awareness Campaigns

Filmed mock party scenarios for a Social Host commercial aired on local television
Presented a drug-free awareness speech at the Town Hall meeting hosted by Pathways to a Healthier You Coalition

Leadership Development

Attended Leadership Camp to build leadership, coalition, and team-building skills
Met with Oklahoma’s First Lady Sarah Hazen Stitt at Duncan Country Club to discuss youth substance prevention strategies

Policy & Community Engagement

Collaborated with City Planner Nate Schacht
Led to increased law enforcement presence in alleys near Duncan High School during school hours
Advocated for stronger enforcement of existing laws to prevent loitering and substance use near schools

Schoolwide Prevention Activities

Participated in Red Ribbon Week events
Included posters, sidewalk chalk messages, banners, yard signs, and a student art contest
Conducted student focus groups to identify high-priority needs
Hosted two Esports Tournaments as substance-free youth engagement events