Glenarden Teen & Youth Alliance Aims to Keep Youth Drug-Free

New Maryland-based coalition provides parents with tools to prevent youth drug use

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The city of Glenarden, Maryland has formed a new non-profit organization called the Teen & Youth Alliance Coalition (TAYAC) to combat youth drug use. The coalition, led by Executive Director Jon Quinton, was formed with the goal of creating a safe space for youth and shifting attitudes that condone marijuana and cannabis use. TAYAC held its inaugural MLK Day 'Prayer 4 Prevention' event, featuring speakers like the local mayor and a pastor who uses his past experiences to connect with youth.

Why it matters

Glenarden, a predominantly Black suburban community, has a sizable youth population that makes up nearly 45% of the city's 6,000 residents. Like many communities, Glenarden is facing challenges in protecting its youth from drug use, which is no longer just a 'big city problem.' The new TAYAC coalition aims to address this issue head-on by engaging the community, including parents, politicians, and religious leaders, to create drug-free spaces and shift attitudes around youth drug use.

The details

TAYAC was formed after the city received a drug-free community grant from the CDC and White House Office of Drug Control Policy. The coalition's primary focus is on early marijuana use and the abuse of non-prescription drugs like fentanyl among teens and youth. Rather than lecturing youth, TAYAC wants to facilitate conversations and distribute prevention messages through community events and popular youth culture. The coalition is also working to gain better access to the local public schools to reach students directly.

  • TAYAC held its inaugural MLK Day 'Prayer 4 Prevention' event on January 19, 2026.

The players

Jon Quinton

The executive director of the Teen and Youth Alliance Coalition (TAYAC).

Dr. Cashenna A. Cross

The mayor of Glenarden, Maryland.

Rev. Curtis Thomas III

The pastor of Stonehouse Ministry and leader of the gospel go-go band, Body of Evidence.

Keli Goldsborough

A single parent and member of TAYAC.

Stephanie Waller

The project manager for TAYAC.

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What they’re saying

“The coalition's primary focus is early age marijuana use and the abuse of non-prescription drugs like fentanyl among teens and youth. But we don't want to lecture youth. We want to facilitate conversation and hope to accomplish our goals by distributing prevention messages through community events and popular youth culture.”

— Jon Quinton, Executive Director, Teen and Youth Alliance Coalition (TAYAC) (afro.com)

“Under the platform of my ministry and essential to the message of my go-go band is reaching youth and adults who want to live a positive, drug-free life. When I look back at my youth, I know that many of us became sexually active in elementary school – that shocks a lot of parents today. But that's reality – my reality in the past and reality today.”

— Rev. Curtis Thomas III, Pastor, Stonehouse Ministry (afro.com)

“If we're serious about getting our children to listen to prevention messages and then follow our advice, then we need to approach youth on their level. Parents sometimes find it difficult to connect and communicate with our own children, maybe because we're too far removed from our own adolescence.”

— Keli Goldsborough, Parent and TAYAC Member (afro.com)

What’s next

The coalition is working to gain better access to the local public schools to reach students directly with their drug prevention messages.

The takeaway

The formation of the Teen and Youth Alliance Coalition in Glenarden, Maryland highlights the growing need for community-based solutions to address youth drug use, even in suburban areas. By engaging parents, community leaders, and youth themselves, TAYAC aims to create a safe, drug-free environment for young people through education, outreach, and shifting attitudes.