Utah County employee Kye Nordfelt, who is a leader in the county’s anti-drug fight, was nationally recognized as the 2013 Advocate of the Year by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
Nordfelt is the Substance Misuse and Abuse Reduction Team coordinator for the Utah County Department of Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment.
“He is the one that keeps our diverse group together and focused on a specific target — the prevention and reduction of substance misuse in Utah County,” said Jo Ann Petrie, who chairs Nordfelt’s team. “We are very appreciative of his efforts and feel he is extremely deserving of this award.”
The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America is a national anti-drug effort based in Virginia. The award is given to a major advocate who represents strong leadership in the anti-drug community, as well as a person who maintains exceptional relationships with leaders based out of Washington D.C.
Nordfelt came into the position in 2008, when the county was awarded a Strategic Prevention Framework grant and needed someone to head up the coalition. Nordfelt was a strong candidate for the position and has continued growth and success for the coalition.
“Kye is exceptional at motivating a vast group toward a specific goal,” said Pat Bird, prevention manager for the county’s anti-drug department. “He received that award for being an advocate.”
Nordfelt was recognized on Capitol Hill among more than 5,000 community anti-drug coalition representatives from across the country. He accepted the award during the coalition’s 23rd annual National Leadership Forum.
Gen. Arthur Dean, CADCA chairman and CEO, spoke highly of Nordfelt.
“When it comes to policy matters, Kye is one of CADCA’s most active and strongest allies and is always willing to go the extra mile to help advocate for the coalition field,” he said. “He has helped to secure funding for critically important prevention programs, specifically the Drug Free Communities Program, by mobilizing people within his community and communicating with his members of Congress and senators in a timely manner.”
Nordfelt has led local and national initiatives to achieve one common goal of putting alcohol and drug abuse to an end.
For more information, visit utahcountysubstanceabuse.org.
