Casco Bay CAN (Create Awareness Now) Coalition has been selected to receive a Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) Regional ReCOGnition Award. Casco Bay CAN is a regional initiative serving eight communities (Falmouth, Cumberland, Freeport, Yarmouth, Pownal, North Yarmouth, Gray and New Gloucester) within Cumberland County, based on volunteer participation, including a Law Enforcement Subcommittee, resulting in successful youth substance prevention and intervention services.
“The success has only come from the collaboration of parents, youth, schools, advocates and law enforcement,” said Falmouth Lieutenant John F. Kilbride. “The members of Casco Bay CAN have energized all these parties to work together to manage problems of today and the ones facing us tomorrow regarding youth substance abuse. This recognition validates our efforts and supports our continued efforts to educate our youth on healthy alternates.”
“We are extremely grateful to be recognized by community members and GPCOG for all the hard work from our volunteers,” Casco Bay CAN Director Beth Blakeman-Pohl said.
“We in law enforcement realize early on that we can’t go it alone,” Lt. Kilbride said. “Our measure of success comes from one child, one parent, one school and one community making efforts to curb and stop alcohol and drug abuse. Working with Casco Bay CAN has given us the opportunity to share ideas, energize our mission and surround our greatest citizens with the knowledge and life stories to educate and alter their behavior before it claims them. Casco Bay CAN has separated themselves from the rest in understanding all various support groups and infusing them with law enforcement to put forth what we have today.”
The award will be presented at the GPCOG Annual Meeting which will be held on June 17, 2015 in the Glickman Library University Events Room at University of Southern Maine in Portland. The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m.
For more information, please contact Casco Bay CAN Director Beth Blakeman-Pohl at 207-865-3985, ext. 208 or beth@cascobaycan.org.