The South Whidbey School District will be collaborating with the Island County Substance Abuse Prevention Council to establish early intervention strategies and expand outreach to students.

At a school board workshop May 13, Langley Mayor Fred McCarthy and Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson represented the council and spoke with directors about their intentions and plans.

McCarthy outlined the council’s priorities, noting that meth, heroine and prescription opiates are their top three concerns.

Price Johnson said the young people who make their way through the criminal justice system typically begin experiencing trouble while in school.

McCarthy said that the main goal of the council is to prevent substance abuse and help those who are in the throes of addiction in order to establish a safer community overall.