Jennifer Kaucher, a Prevention Specialist with COCA got involved with drug and alcohol prevention in high school. She had a deep desire to get involved in events that weren’t surrounded by drugs and alcohol. She and 3 friends started a program that encouraged drug and alcohol free lifestyle, activities and events. During her senior year Jennifer participated in an ‘Earn and Learn’ class that COCA offered.

After graduating from Alvernia University she joined the COCA staff.

Now she gets to go to area schools, manage the COCA website and social media outlets and is involved with creating and producing COCA related materials that are disseminated in the community. Jennifer states that she finds fulfillment in being able to reach out to high school students with the resources necessary to equip students with alternatives to drug and alcohol activities.

Jennifer has been with COCA for two years and says, “I learned a lot more about addiction as a brain disease. I have friends who are in recovery now and am learning about what that is like. When the topic of drugs and alcohol comes up at the dinner table I am the one who says, “They are not bad people, they are sick”. Jennifer adds that when someone is in active addiction and gets into recovery you can see the big difference. You can see that they are well. It brings a new life to them and their family.