Community leaders from around the county are gathering in Pella Thursday to continue to find ways to combat alcohol and drug abuse in the region.

Sgt. Melissa Welsh with the Iowa Counterdrug Taskforce and the Iowa Air National Guard tells KNIA/KRLS News the purpose of a Substance Abuse Coalition meeting Thursday is to continue find reasons why drug use is on the rise. Welsh says the overall goal of the group is to lower substance abuse.

The next meeting of a local coalition will be held on Thursday, August 3rd at 3:00 P.M at the Pella Police Department, and the public is invited to contribute.