HOOVER – About 25 faith leaders from the Oak Mountain community gathered on Thursday, Jan. 31, for lunch and to hear about the efforts of Compact 2020 in the area.

Compact 2020, a partnership of several local law enforcement agencies designed to combat drug abuse among local youth, sets up prevention teams in various communities that identify problems and solutions specific to those communities.

The Oak Mountain Compact group organized the Faith Community Luncheon, which was held at the Bistro at Jefferson State Community College’s Shelby-Hoover Campus and sponsored by Royal Restoration.

Buddy Tyler of North Shelby County Fire and Emergency Medical District and Dale Elliott of Heart South Cardiovascular Group welcomed the faith leaders, which represented Christian denominations such as Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian and Lutheran.

Elliott said the fight against drug abuse will require a three-pronged attack: law enforcement, the medical community and “hearts and minds.”

“I’m hoping that once you guys get the gist of what Compact 2020 is, you’ll want to join us,” Elliott said. “Everybody here believes in God and Christ and the kind of life he wants for us and wants for our kids.”

Compact 2020 Director Clay Hammac gave an overview of the organization, discussing his emotions as a parent the first time he drove with his child in the vehicle.

“Other parents face different emotions,” Hammac said. “We do have a problem with our juveniles being faced with substance abuse.”

Compact 2020 identifies juveniles who may be at risk for drug abuse and intervene by contacting their parents.

“We realized that we were not going to be able to arrest our way out of this,” Hammac said. “We really want to cut that off before it becomes an issue.”

Hammac said faith leaders can help after law enforcement representatives meet with parents about their child’s situation.

“After meeting at our office, the parents are starting a whole new journey and often don’t know what to do,” he said. “There is no one better equipped to walk alongside a family, other than those who have been called into the roles that you have.”

The Oak Mountain Prevention Team’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13.