Learn How to Engage Faith Community in Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts

Sometimes the most difficult part of drug prevention is getting the message to the people who need it the most. That's why the faith community is one of the most important partners a coalition can have. Not only are they well-respected figures in a community, but they can reach people where they are. During the next CADCA-TV broadcast called Keeping the Faith in Drug Prevention, learn how the faith community and coalitions can work together to reduce substance abuse. The show will air Jan. 28, from 1-2 p.m. EST.

During the hour-long show, panelists will discuss collaborations that are working in various communities and how coalitions can adapt them to their specific needs. The show will also explore how one organization is taking a unique approach to helping faith communities.

The show’s host is Mary Elizabeth Elliott, Vice President of Communications, Membership & IT, CADCA.

Panelists include:

Gregory A. Puckett, Executive Director, Community Connections, Mercer County, WV
A native southern West Virginian with a passion for prevention, Greg Puckett has tirelessly worked to bring special projects and initiatives to communities in need. As Director of the Mercer County Drug Free Community Support Program, a special initiative of Community Connections Inc. (the County’s Family Resource Network), he collaborated with others within the Creating Opportunities For Youth (COFY) Coalition to achieve milestones in tobacco prevention policy change and continually reached beyond county and state lines to help guide the prevention process. He led the charge to successful support legislative funding for Teen Courts throughout West Virginia, and has continually advocated for the establishment of coalition funding for every county. In 2006, he was appointed as Executive Director of Community Connections and is also the Director of both the West Virginia CADCA (Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America) Association and the West Virginia Teen Court Association. In addition, he currently serves on CADCA’s National Coalition Advisory Committee.

Rev. Cheryl Mitchell Gaines, Senior Faith Based Technical Specialist with McFarland & Associates for SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention National Faith and Community Based Support Initiative
Rev. Cheryl Mitchell Gaines brings to this discussion more than two decades of experience and education in helping children and families realize their potential. She is both an attorney and an ordained pastor. Rev. Gaines has worked at both the State and community level to provide faith and life enhancing support to children, youth and families. Formerly appointed by Governor Pataki to work as a Community Relations Specialist in nine counties in upstate New York, she coordinated the faith- and community-based outreach efforts of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Her professional and ministerial work has included every facet of intervention at the legal, faith and community-based levels of service and advocacy. Currently she is the Senior Faith Based Technical Specialist with McFarland & Associates for SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention National Faith and Community Based Support Initiative. This initiative is designed to provide financial and technical support to faith and community based groups around the nation that are engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention, substance abuse prevention and prisoner reentry services.

Carlton Hall, Senior Manager of Training and Technical Assistance for CADCA’s National Coalition Institute
Prior to joining CADCA, Carlton Hall was president and CEO of Carlton Hall Consulting LLC (CHC), a multi-faceted full service consulting organization designed to provide customized solutions and enable measurable change for communities, organizations, families and individuals. In 2005, CHC partnered with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) to provide training and technical assistance support to CADCA’s National Coalition Academy. The Academy, a year long coalition development program, is designed to increase the effectiveness of communities in drug demand reduction at population level outcomes. Hall was also responsible for the design and implementation of the award winning "Operation Makeover", an effective community-wide intervention addressing blatant open-air drug trafficking and increasing levels of juvenile violence and substance abuse offences. “Operation Makeover” was recognized by then Vice-President Al Gore and featured in "Programs That Work" a publication by the Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Joe Wilkerson, Red Willow Ministries, Inc.
Joe Wilkerson is married to his wife of 36 years, Cynthia Wilkerson. They have two grown, married children and three grandchildren. Joe and Cynthia founded Red Willow Ministries, Inc. in February 2002. The ministry’s goal is to bring hope, healing and balance to lives through Jesus Christ. This mission enables the ministry to reach out to educate, counsel and train as it pertains to drug and alcohol use, abuse and addiction. Wilkerson is an ordained Southern Baptist Minister, a certified drug and alcohol counselor as well as an equine assisted counselor. The Red Willow Ministry team goes to schools, churches and organizations to teach prevention tools by using testimonies, videos and horse games in an engaging, entertaining and enlightening way. Wilkerson has been a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor since 1988. He has also pastored churches in Oklahoma and New Mexico. Currently he serves as the President of Red Willow Ministries, Inc.. Red Willow Ministries also has the counseling contract for the Christian Alcoholics and Addicts In Recovery (CAAIR) program in Jay, Oklahoma. Joe is an active member of the Board of JayCAN, the Community Anti-drug Network in Jay, Oklahoma.

The show can viewed via webcast at www.cadca.org, or at no cost from any site with a satellite dish having C-band capabilities. All viewing sites must register in advance to receive the necessary satellite coordinates. To register, contact Ed Kronholm at Phone: 877-820-0305; E-mail: dlnets@aol.com; Web Site: www.dlnets.com/MCTFT2nd.htm. Visit the CADCA TV section of CADCA’s Web site for more details.