About ACWA

ACWA is a grassroots coalition created in 2019 to prevent youth substance use in Nicollet County. In 2021, ACWA was awarded a Drug-Free Communities grant from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to reduce and prevent local youth substance misuse through a variety of strategies.

The coalition has representation from many community partners including St. Peter Public Schools, River’s Edge Hospital, Nicollet County Attorney’s Office, Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office, Nicollet County Community Corrections, Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota, Nicollet County Health and Human Services, North Mankato Police Department, Mayo Clinic Health Systems, and others.

Our mission is to empower the people of Nicollet County to prevent and reduce substance use among youth by shifting culture to create a healthier community.