New drug-free coordinator reaching out to youth about risks of drinking

Mackenzie Snow plans to talk with young people – early, often and openly– about the risks of underage drinking, tobacco use and drugs. It’s her mission as coordinator of the Steele County Safe and Drug-Free Coalition.
“Most kids aren’t drinking,” said Snow. “It’s not the norm. But that’s not to say there isn’t a problem.”
And for those who do, Snow’s message is simple: You don’t need alcohol, tobacco or drugs to have fun or fit in.
Statistically, Steele County teens are slightly above the state average when it comes to alcohol use. According to the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, 16% of Steele County students in grades 8, 9 and 11 reported drinking alcohol on at least one day during the 30 days before the survey, compared to 13% statewide.
“My goal is to reach as many kids as possible and to make a difference,” said Snow, who’s been on the job for about three months.
“I have cousins still struggling with addiction and was married to a meth addict for four years before I got the courage to leave,” said the 28-year-old. “We need to reach our youth.”
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 90% of Americans with a substance abuse problem started smoking, drinking or using other drugs before age 18. The age someone starts to use substances increases the risk of developing addictions and other health problems later in life.
One of Snow’s first projects was the Sticker Shock Campaign, designed to reach adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors.
Snow said she put stickers on cases of beer and boxes of wine – products that might appeal to underage drinkers - at seven liquor stores in Blooming Prairie, Medford and Owatonna.
This summer, Snow said she’s spent a lot of time at community events – meeting kids. And, she said, she’s looking forward to the Steele County fair, where the group will display a teen’s bedroom set up with drug paraphernalia “Hidden in Plain Sight.”
The booth gives parents an idea of what they could be missing in their child’s bedroom, said Snow.  For example, the display includes a bottle of suntan lotion that’s really a flask. 
Anyone interested in volunteering to work at the fair booth can email Snow at safedrugfree@unitedwaysteelecounty.org.
In the fall, Snow plans to work with schools and the Students Helping Others Choose (SHOC) organization to get her message out to students.
“I love how much I get to be out with the people and in the community,” said Snow. “I’ve always loved helping people.”
Before joining the Steele County Safe and Drug-Free Coalition, Snow worked as a pharmacy tech for Mayo in Rochester. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Rochester Community and Technical College with an emphasis in special education and course work in chemical and mental health.
The Steele County Safe and Drug-Free Coalition was founded in 2009 and is funded by a Drug-Free Communities Grant through SAMHSA. United Way of Steele County serves as the organization’s fiscal agent.