Members of the Mingo County STOP Coalition were a big part of this week's drug summit for area pastors.

Amy Turner discussed some of the tactics that STOP has taken to combat drugs and reinforce drug prevention with young people through positive reinforcement. Turner noted that STOP has been around for some time and is as active as ever through a variety of community outreach efforts.

Turner said STOP has a major goal of creating a ten bed recovery and rehab based center for women. At previous drug summits the lack of rehab spots for women has been addressed time and time again, and STOP is actively trying to do something about it. Turner also discussed data about substance abuse in Mingo County.

"We have the highest rate of non-fatal vehicle accidents in West Virginia which are drug related," Turner noted.

STOP has approached the substance abuse problem through a variety of ways, Turner explained, discussing the issues and strategies being used.

She noted that the Prom Promise campaign for Gilbert and Matewan High Schools had been very effective this year and had garnered support from not only STOP, but from the local fire and police agencies along with various wrecker services in Mingo County.

"We had no accidents on those nights," Turner said, explaining that STOP has many projects that utilize positive reinforcement for young people to put across the message of drug prevention. She said STOP has a summer diversion activity on Wednesdays where young people will be taken to the Harless Center in Gilbert for movies and swimming and anti-drug programs. Kids will be picked up at schools in Delbarton, Williamson and Matewan and taken to the Harless Center.

Turner said STOP also wants to start a "keg registration program" to crack down on underage drinkers who may be getting alcohol from keg parties illegally, which can lead to binge drinking by teens.

"We also want to have panel discussions in Mingo County," Turner said. "We want a conversation with your congregation about drugs and recovery."

Turner said STOP meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the basement of the Williamson courthouse at noon and the public is invited to attend.