LEWISTON — Healthy Androscoggin announces Scott M. Gagnon of Auburn is the new Safe Schools/Healthy Students substance abuse prevention coordinator.

In 2008, Lewiston public schools, in collaboration with Auburn public schools, was awarded the Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant, whose goal is to create a safe school environment that promotes healthy childhood development, and prevents youth violence and alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse.

Healthy Androscoggin has been contracted to work on alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention activities, one of the five elements being addressed by the Safe Schools Healthy Students initiative. Some of the measures Gagnon will take include coordinating school/community environmental strategies to address substance abuse; implementing prevention curricula and family interventions; and social marketing campaigns.

Gagnon brings several years of experience in the substance abuse prevention field as a program coordinator and evaluator. Previously he worked in the prevention and intervention services component of Day One in South Portland. He also brings experience in working with students in schools. At Day One, he served as the coordinator and evaluator for the Natural Helpers of Maine program which trains peer listeners to provide one-on-one listening support to their peers in school.

He also served as facilitator for several in-school education sessions and was a part of the team that administered the Juvenile Treatment Network. Additionally, he was the coordinator for the Maine Gambling Addiction Network and sat as a member of the Maine Gambling Advisory Board.

He holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service.