What is a coalition?

A coalition is defined as a formal arrangement for collaboration among groups in a community. This means that various organizations, stakeholders, and community members come together with a shared goal or purpose, often focusing on addressing social issues such as substance misuse, health promotion, or policy advocacy. Coalitions facilitate collective action, leverage resources, and foster communication among diverse entities to implement strategies that may be more effective than individual efforts alone.

The essence of a coalition lies in its structured approach to collaboration, often formalized through agreements or charters that outline the roles and responsibilities of participating members. This collaborative framework is crucial in prevention work, as it allows various sectors—such as education, health, and law enforcement—to align their efforts and create a comprehensive response to community challenges.

In contrast, the other options describe entities or arrangements that do not fully capture the formal and collaborative essence of a coalition. For instance, enforcing laws on substance misuse represents a law enforcement role rather than collaborative efforts among community groups. Informal gatherings, while valuable, do not have the same organized structure and purpose as a coalition. Lastly, a government agency for public health may play a critical role within a coalition but does not embody the concept of a coalition itself, which is about collaborative partnerships among multiple organizations