History

When the nation was struggling with a crack cocaine epidemic in the mid- to late-1980s, small groups of concerned citizens began sprouting up in communities across the country to address the problem. These groups, comprised of members of every sector of the community—from schools, parents and local businesses to healthcare providers, law enforcement and faith-based institutions—became known as community anti-drug coalitions. While coalitions played a major role in slowing the crack epidemic, they were lacking a national voice and a way to unify the many groups located nationwide. That’s where Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) came in.
 
In 1992 during the administration of President George Bush, Sr., the President's Drug Advisory Council (PDAC) encouraged the formation of CADCA to respond to the dramatic growth in the number of substance abuse coalitions and their need to share ideas, problems and solutions. The organization was officially launched in October 1992 under the leadership of Alvah Chapman, the Director and retired Chairman and CEO of Knight Ridder, Inc., who became CADCA's first chairman. With their guidance, the organization has evolved to become the nation’s leading national substance abuse prevention organization, working to empower community-based coalitions and represent their interests at the national level.