East Hawai‘i Drug-Free Coalition

welcome!

We are the East Hawaiʻi Drug-Free Coalition. In the area we serve — from Honokaʻa to Nāʻālehu — there are more than 6,500 youth between the ages of 12 and 18. We envision resilient and thriving communities free from substance misuse. Our mission is to prevent and reduce substance misuse impacting keiki to kūpuna with a focus on eliminating underage drinking.

Understanding both the unique challenges and the wonderful opportunities we have to build resilient and thriving communities that prioritize the well-being of our youth, we are committed to health and safety. By embracing collaboration, education, and community involvement, we aim to create lasting positive change and safeguard the future of East Hawaiʻi.

our goals

Connect & Build Community Trust
Foster meaningful connections and build trusted relationships by collaborating with diverse community members, organizations, and leaders, working to reduce underage drinking through a shared commitment to the well-being and empowerment of all.

Understand Risks & Enhance Protective Factors
Identify and evaluate risk factors of substance misuse while enhancing protective factors to support the well-being and resilience of individuals, families, and communities, focusing on prevention, empowerment, and thriving communities.

Reduce Underage Drinking
Reduce underage drinking by promoting and supporting substance-free activities and lifestyles, including implementing environmental strategies to improve the health and well-being of our youth and young adults.

meet THE TEAM

sally ancheta, coordinator

An East Hawaiʻi resident for over 35 years, Sally has actively led efforts to reduce addiction and substance misuse on Hawaiʻi Island since 2002.

She coordinated and led the Hawai'i Island Tobacco-Free Coalition, a program of the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, and spearheaded the "Raise the Age to 21" campaign, which raised the age to purchase tobacco and vape products to 21 in Hawaiʻi County. Sally has been Coordinator of the East Hawaiʻi Drug-Free Coalition since 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

rick collins, director

Rick joined the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute in 2018 and currently serves as the Director for the Maui Coalition for Drug-Free Youth, the East Hawaiʻi Drug-Free Coalition, and the Hawaiʻi Alcohol Policy Alliance. His experience includes building new community coalitions and implementing community-level policy strategies to reduce the harms of substance use.

Rick is a Certified Prevention Specialist and holds an Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. He and his family love to travel and like to do home exchanges.

camlyn pola, vice chair

Camlyn is a dedicated entrepreneur, wife, mother, and proud grandmother with a rich background in interior and kitchen and bath design.

Camlyn is deeply committed to her community. A survivor of a drunk driving accident when she was a teenager, Camlyn understands firsthand the devastating effects of impaired driving. Her life-changing experience ignited her passion for advocating for a safer future, particularly for young people. She shares her story in hopes of saving lives and preventing tragedies among teenagers.

KNOW YOUR numbers

47%

of Hawaiʻi County 12th graders have used alcohol in
the last 30 days (ATOD 2019).

90%

of youth say clear family rules about drugs/alcohol would prevent them from drinking/using drugs.

26%

of Hawaiʻi County high school seniors are currently binge drinking (ATOD 2019).

community partners

East Hawaiʻi, Big Island | Weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The East Hawaiʻi Drug-Free Coalition is funded by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division through Federal Partnerships for Success Grant, and is fiscally managed by Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute www.hiphi.org.

Ride the wave & be drug-free!​​​​E ala! E alu! ​E kuilima!