Series: Coalitions Online

During the early 1990s, New England was faced with one of the highest rates of youth inhalant abuse, jumping from 3 percent to nearly 8 percent among 7th graders between 1990 and 1993. To address that, the New England Inhalant Prevention Coalition used an innovative prevention approach that resulted in a 27 percent drop in lifetime inhalant abuse among 7th-12th graders.

The vast majority of prisoners who could benefit from drug abuse treatment do not receive it, despite two decades of research that demonstrate its effectiveness, according to researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). In a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, NIDA scientists note that about half of all prisoners (including some sentenced to non-drug-related offenses) are dependent on drugs, yet less than 20 percent of inmates suffering from drug abuse or dependence receive formal treatment.

CADCA´s 19th Annual Leadership Forum is less than a month away! In an effort to help make the most of Capitol Hill Day visits during the Forum, CADCA will be publishing in Coalitions Online a series of articles on ways to maximize Capitol Hill Day. This article, the second in that series, focuses on preparing an effective press release following meetings with Members of Congress, and serves as a reminder to bring a digital camera to take a picture with elected officials.

The incoming Obama Administration has made a concerted effort to ensure that the public has the ability to provide input as it develops its policies. This trend continues as he prepares to take office. To help ensure that substance abuse prevention issues are on the radar screen of the new Administration, CADCA urges community coalitions to post comments on the Citizen´s Briefing Book.