The Mississippi Executive Prevention Council (MEPC) is an ad-hoc group of state agencies, state-level affiliates, and grassroots prevention groups that have collaborated successfully on substance abuse prevention efforts for over 20 years.

MEPC was founded in 1984 in response to the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1984. This act charged states with carrying out comprehensive drug and violence prevention programs that are coordinated with related Federal, State, school and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment.

To insure that this charge was addressed, the Mississippi Departments of Education and Mental Health, Office of Highway Safety, Alcohol and Drug Studies Center of Jackson State University, and DREAM came together to form the Mississippi Executive Prevention Council (MEPC). Today, the MEPC has grown to include 20 member organizations including representation from the Governor’s office and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).

The MEPC’s mission is to strengthen substance abuse prevention in Mississippi through collaboration and its goals are to:

• coordinate prevention programming and minimize duplication of services
• advocate for prevention issues at the state and federal levels
• help build the capacity of prevention professionals

Here are some of the accomplishments of this collaborative body over a 20-year span:

• Pooled resources and funds to plan and co-host over 20 regional and statewide prevention conferences
• Collaborated to provide training and technical assistance on prevention curricula and strategies to schools and communities through Summer Energizers and Regional Workshops
• Helped launch Mississippi’s first National Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988
• Maintained close communication with Mississippi’s congressional delegation to facilitate their support for prevention efforts
• Helped pass legislation to increase the drinking age to 21
• Appointed by Governor Musgrove in 2000 to serve as the advisory council for the State Incentive Grant helping to draft the states strategic prevention plan
• Appointed by Governor Haley Barbour in 2006 to serve as the advisory council for the State Prevention