Nexus Coalition outlines prevention, diversion and family supports for youth substance use

Vicky Solomon, executive director of Nexus Coalition, presented the group's work to the Pinetop Lakeside Town Council and thanked the town for providing meeting space. Solomon said Nexus operates on an October-to-October grant year, runs prevention programming across 12 sectors, and last year reached roughly 9,600 youth and 3,400 adults through 661 activities.

She described several programs: naloxone education tied to take-home naloxone distribution; diversion programming in partnership with local teen court; a family-recovery Zoom group meeting Thursdays; and a five-skill resilience curriculum (belief, trust, adaptability, persistence and strength) used for youth and adults. Solomon highlighted partnerships with Blue Ridge Junior High and the continuation of community coalition meetings on the second Tuesday of every month.

Council members asked whether fentanyl use is increasing; Solomon deferred to the sheriff's office partner for statistics but agreed to provide localized participation numbers for Pinetop Lakeside programs. She also described community-office space the coalition uses behind the Lakeside Library (formerly the Yellow Jacket Youth Center) and thanked local partners.