The Way Out West Coalition
Jun 16, 2026
Joe Tracey, Youth4Youth Program Director
The Way Out West Coalition
Joe Tracey is the Program Director for Youth4Youth and the Way Out West Coalition, serving Buckeye and the greater West Valley. His work focuses on youth leadership, substance use prevention, resilience, and community collaboration. Joe works closely with schools, students, parents, law enforcement, city partners, and local organizations to create programs that are practical, youth-centered, and responsive to the needs of the community.
Joe will share the story and impact of Youth4Youth in Buckeye, including how student leaders are using their voices to influence their peers, strengthen campus culture, and promote healthy choices. The presentation will also include the history of the Way Out West Coalition and how the coalition has brought community partners together to address substance use prevention across Buckeye and the West Valley.
In addition, Joe will provide a brief but important look at the influence of social media on youth, including how online platforms can expose young people to unrealistic expectations, dangerous trends, and curated snapshots that do not show the full reality of a person’s life. The presentation will also address how social media has created new ways for drug dealers to access and target youth. The goal is to increase awareness, highlight local prevention efforts, and show how community members can play a role in helping youth stay safe, connected, and supported.