CADCA Conducts First-Ever National Survey on States’ Relationships with Coalitions

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) recently completed a national survey with state National Prevention Network (NPN) representatives to assess how states support community coalitions and how community coalitions fit into statewide prevention plans. The survey seeks to determine state´s views on coalition training needs and how states coordinate state resources for substance abuse prevention coalitions. All 50 states and the District of Columbia participated. The survey, endorsed by the National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), provides a national perspective of how states understand and work with community coalitions.

“CADCA is taking an active role to communicate the valuable role of coalitions to mobilize citizens in local and statewide efforts,” said Gen. Arthur T. Dean, CADCA Chairman & CEO. “Strong community coalitions serve as a powerful link between state level plans and community level implementation and CADCA’s study will inform coalitions on how to work with states.”

Twenty-nine states have a written state prevention plan that supports the development of community coalitions as a means for reducing substance abuse. Another eleven states informally acknowledge the role of coalitions in a state’s overall plan.

Many state respondents spoke to the importance of building relationship with coalitions. “There is no way to change the environment one program at a time, it has to be done through coalitions,” said Rebecca Matusovich, Prevention Team Manager from the Maine Office of Substance Abuse states.

CADCA will release highlights from the study in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.