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Building Brighter Futures Together

ADAPT is a coalition of community partners dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our local communities through research, education, and action. We work to prevent substance misuse in Taney and Stone counties using evidence-based strategies guided by local data.

Through annual Adult and Youth Community Surveys, community members, young and old, share their experiences and insights, which shape our campaigns, inform priorities, and tell the story of our progress. The work we do is driven by evidence, not assumptions.

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Priority Area 1: Building Community & System Capacity

We are focused on strengthening the infrastructure needed to sustain prevention efforts across Stone and Taney Counties.

Key Focus Areas:
  • Expanding and diversifying coalition membership to ensure full sector representation
  • Supporting youth-led prevention efforts in schools and the community
  • Increasing access to evidence-based training (e.g., Prime for Life, MRT, BIP)
  • Enhancing the community’s ability to respond to mental health needs connected to substance use

Priority Area 2: Data, Assessment & Identifying Gaps

We are working to improve how we gather and use data to better identify service gaps, particularly among underserved populations.

Key Focus Areas:
  • Collaborative data collection initiatives with community partners
  • Youth surveys and community-level needs assessments
  • Implementation of a biennial adult mental health and substance use assessment
  • Use of focus groups to gather qualitative insights

Priority Area 3: Youth Substance Use Prevention

We are implementing evidence-based strategies across schools and the community to prevent initiation of substance use.

Key Strategy Areas:
  • Public awareness campaigns (media, print, social media) focusing on key substances as well as parent involvement and mental health
  • Education and information dissemination upon school request (consultations, community events, school events, school nurses, partners)
  • Skill-building programs (school curricula, youth leadership, QPR training)
  • Policy and systems changes (school discipline practices, retailer compliance)
  • Environmental strategies (safe storage, smoke-free initiatives)
  • Alternative activities (substance-free events)
  • Access to cessation supports (NRT, referrals to local cessation classes)

Substance Use and Mental Health in Taney and Stone County

  • 25% of students in the 2022 Missouri Student Survey (MSS) reported their peers believed someone their age would be “cool” if they used e-cigarettes, alcohol, or marijuana

  • 18% of Taney and Stone County adults report engaging in binge drinking within the past 30 days

  • 17% of adults aged 18 years and older in Taney County did not have good mental health for 14 days or more

  • 15% of adults aged 18 years and older in Stone County did not have good mental health for 14 days or more

  • 34% of students in the 2022 Missouri Student Survey for Taney County reported “often” or “always” feeling very sad in the past month

  • 32% of students in the 2022 Missouri Student Survey for Stone County reported “often” or “always” feeling very sad in the past month

  • The two most common substances were alcohol and meth among Taney and Stone County residents admitted to Missouri Division of Behavioral Health Substance use disorder treatment programs in 2021

  • Resources

Upcoming Events

August 2026

ADAPT 4th Quarter Coalition Meeting

August 14, 2026
10:00 am - 11:30 am
4th Qtr Meeting Stone County Health Department
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October 2026

DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

October 24, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
DEA Drug Take Back events take place every April and October. Help get unwanted medications disposed of properly so they don't end up in our [...]
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