Mercer Council is committed to its mission of creating pathways to reduce substance-related challenges through education, support, advocacy, and partnerships throughout our community.   Mercer Council implements research-based programs to provide children and families with tools that empower them to make healthy, safe and responsible choices.

Founded in 1978, we are currently celebrating our 40^th anniversary year.  The agency’s original mission solely addressed alcohol, and our founder, Kay McGrath envisioned the agency as a support for those in recovery from alcoholism.  The Council achieved a series of "firsts" in Mercer County with programs that emphasized prevention and early intervention as well as treatment. The Council established the first school-based drug education and counseling program, the first off-site employee assistance program, the first fetal-alcohol syndrome program and the first congregational assistance program.

Under the governance of a voluntary board of trustees comprised of committed community members from across Mercer County, Mercer Council expanded its focus over the years to meet the ever changing needs of the communities it served to include other evidence-based drug prevention education programs.   Mercer Council continues to work in the field of substance abuse prevention and early intervention, and has formed important strategic partnerships with community-based groups and associations around the county in order to leverage resources to best serve members all of our community.