23 Nov Coalition Corner with Officer Patricia Davis

by Joseph Byrum

Coalition Corner is an opportunity to highlight the good work that coalition members do every day and to hear their thoughts about coalition work.

Officer Patricia Davis is a School Resource Officer at Kilgore Middle School and serves as the Youth Director for the Kilgore Bulldogs Against Drugs (K-BAD).

How long have you been a member of the Piney Woods Substance Abuse Coalition? I have been a member with the coalition for a year and a half. KBAD has been an organizational member with the coalition since 2017.

What do you like most about the coalition? I like the Camaraderie among the adults while working together. Striving to come up with new ways to educate our youth of the dangers of drugs, while trying to just make it fun and easy to just say “no”.

Can you tell us about how the coalition fits into the organization you work for? KBAD is a drug free youth coalition established by youth for the youth. Coalition provides us with educational tips, statics and great ideas to help our youth strive, grow and stay dedicated to being drug free.

What is the best advice you have ever been given? Be kind to people; treat people as you would like to be treated. I have tried to live my life by it.

What do you like most about East Texas? I’m from the big city and moved here when I was younger. I love the small close-knit communities, civic minded and friendly people. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of major cities, but with access to two major cities and all they have to offer. I guess, in short, the southern living, southern food, southern charm.

What should other people know about the coalition? They lobby for our youth by advocating for laws to be changed to keep our youth safe. The changes include raising the age to buy tobacco, removal/reducing the sales of certain flavored vapes and reducing the sales of alcohol. The coalition is a great source of information for educating our youth.