Every year, CADCA hosts the Dose of Prevention Challenge in partnership with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s Stop Medicine Abuse campaign. Held during National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month in October, the challenge encourages coalitions nationwide to educate their communities about the risks of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine misuse and prescription drug misuse.
We are proud to recognize the winners of the 2025 Dose of Prevention Challenge and the prevention work they led in their communities.
Overall Winner: Drug Free Cecil Youth Coalition (Maryland)
Photo courtesy of Jenifer Morris
The Drug Free Cecil Youth Coalition earned first place for a comprehensive, youth-driven campaign that combined education and community engagement. Their work reached hundreds of thousands of people and up to 15,000 students across Cecil County Public Schools.
A standout feature of their campaign was a Train-the-Trainers initiative that focused on OTC cough medication safety. Eight students earned Johnson & Johnson Over-the-Counter trainer certifications and are now equipped to teach their peers about the differences between OTC and prescription medications, how to read drug labels, potential harms, and proper disposal methods.
Furthermore, the coalition developed billboard campaigns generating more than 800,000 impressions, school poster campaigns across 28 schools, social media messaging, radio advertisements, and prevention club education sessions. Community engagement activities and events included their 9th Annual Spooktacular Trunk or Treat, medication take-back efforts with the Sheriff’s Office, and Red Ribbon Week activities reaching students in the district.
First Runner-Up: Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council (Georgia)
The Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council placed second for their predominantly youth-driven campaign consisting of digital media and traditional outreach that reached an estimated 65,000 people.
Youth leaders launched an educational YouTube channel focused on prescription drug awareness and safe disposal, produced a prevention podcast, and developed educational materials distributed across more than 2,000 locations. Their coalition also demonstrated strong attention to OTC cough medicine misuse and educated students about the dangers of DXM, along with strategies for identification and intervention.
Youth members also created a functional drug-scanning app demonstration designed to detect opioids and provide safe dosing information. Billboard placements, school sessions, and a multi-platform media strategy were also included in their efforts. Many of their programs were designed to continue year-round.
Second Runner-Up: DART Prevention Coalition of Ocean County (New Jersey)
The DART Prevention Coalition of Ocean County earned third place for an approach that combined harm reduction, education, and community partnerships to reach more than 80,000 people.
One notable innovation was the creation of “Vibe Check Kits,” designed specifically for college students. These kits included naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, a GHB-detecting wristband, and educational materials on safe substance use, including OTC medication safety. Two hundred kits were distributed at Ocean County Community College, meeting young adults where they are with practical tools and information.
Additional efforts included distributing medication disposal kits and locking pouches, installing a naloxone vending machine on campus, and providing youth prevention training in schools. Partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations helped scale these efforts across the county’s 33 municipalities.
The 2025 winners of the Dose of Prevention Challenge demonstrate the creativity that prevention coalitions bring to their communities every day. CADCA congratulates all the participating coalitions on their commitment to prevention.
