Mary F. Haag Coalition of the Year Award – In honor of former PF! President/CEO Mary F. Haag, this award is presented to a current PF! member coalition that has contributed to the advancement of the PF! mission. This awardee has made notable progress in the development of their coalition, demonstrated commitment to long-term sustainability, reduced the impact of substances on youth, adults and the community at-large, and significantly improved capacity for prevention within its coalition. This is the first year for this award.

Activating Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Norwood, a grassroots-based coalition began with a goal of bringing about community change across multiple sectors. 

In 2006, school leaders saw the importance of bolstering a prevention culture among Norwood students and began utilizing the PF! Student Drug Use Survey.  The survey helps guide the school and community partners in selecting evidence-based activities to support youth development.

In 2012, the Norwood Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition formed and became a PF! member coalition. After rebranding in 2016, ASAP Norwood successfully applied for the Hamilton County Family Services Treatment and Prevention Grant through PF! The membership expanded to include law enforcement, EMS/fire, school counselors/staff and concerned community members who meet on a regular basis to make a positive difference in the lives of Norwood youth.

Since those early days, ASAP Norwood has been awarded funding from Interact for Health for Thriving Communities to expand substance abuse prevention over five years. Those successes led to receiving the competitive Drug-Free Communities Grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. ASAP Norwood is now using the Strategic Prevention Framework Model and the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America’s Seven Strategies for Community Change with support from HealthPath Foundation of Ohio.  

ASAP Norwood continues to pursue its vision of Norwood being a strengths-based city where prevention culture engages every sector in healthy behaviors.