By Mary O’KEEFE

The Crescenta Valley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition held a holiday party on Monday to thank the organization’s supporters and share their accomplishments and plans for the future. Among the festivities was piano entertainment provided by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. Capt. Dave Silversparre of the CV Station.

The grassroots organization was created after an increase in drug related arrests occurred in the Crescenta Valley area. Glendale Officer Matt Zakarian and parent Susan Dubin joined forces to network with other families about the concerns of the drug trend. From there, more community members joined, all with the common goal of educating others about drug and alcohol abuse and prevention.

Since its creation, the group has hosted several seminars and has supported other organizations like CV Chamber of Commerce and Rosemont Middle School sports program.

Zakarian, president of the Coalition, said the party was a good way for the organization to thank supporters and to share the Coalition’s goal.

“I want to make clear that the drug [and alcohol] problem is not worse in this community than others. It is just we decided to do something about it,” Zakarian said. “We were proactive.”

Another goal of the Coalition is to grow its volunteer base and to reach out to more community partners.

“This is community coalition,” he said. “It will take every person in the community to make a difference.”

  Mary Okeefe