How did a single partnership bring together 16 counties across Southern Illinois to advance tobacco prevention at scale? Read on to find out!  

The House and Senate released the agreed upon Conference version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Financial Services General Government appropriations bill. This bill funds the Office of National Drug Policy (ONDCP) where the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is housed. 

Congratulations to the Drug Free Cecil Youth Coalition for winning the 2025 Dose of Prevention Challenge for their comprehensive, youth-led approach to medication misuse prevention across Cecil County! The Dose of Prevention Challenge encourages coalitions to educate their communities about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and over-the-counter cough medicine abuse and is a joint partnership between CADCA and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s Stop Medicine Abuse campaign.  

CADCA recently hosted the seventh webinar in our 18-part Competencies in Focus webinar series, continuing the conversation around what it truly takes for coalitions to be effective and sustainable. This session focused on the Leadership competency, which is needed to navigate change and maintain a shared vision over time.  

CADCA and ASSMCA, Puerto Rico’s government agency for Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration, brought together more than 250 youth leaders, adult service providers, and community partners for a two-day training conference in San Juan on November 20-21, 2025. This event is part of our continued partnership with ASSMCA and reflects our shared commitment to expanding coalition development across Puerto Rico.

Coalitions from across the country participate in CADCA’s National Coalition Academy™ (NCA) to build upon their prevention efforts and bring more clarity to the complex work they face every day. The experience leaves participants feeling more prepared and supported in the work they do. We spoke with two coalitions who recently completed the NCA™ to learn what stood out and how the Academy is shaping their work moving forward.

CADCA is proud to announce the recipients of several prestigious awards recognizing exemplary leadership and dedication to substance use prevention. The awards will be presented during CADCA’s National Leadership Forum, February 2-6, 2026 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. 

Last week, we continued our Competencies in Focus webinar series with a deep dive into the Community Engagement competency. Led by Zara Petković from Washington University in St. Louis’ Center for Public Health Systems Science, Dr. Brett Maricque from the McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University School of Medicine, and CADCA Trainer Kristina Clark, the session explored what it takes to build meaningful relationships that support long-term prevention success.  

CADCA is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 National Leadership Forum Awards. Every year, CADCA recognizes exceptional individuals that have made significant contributions to the field of substance use prevention and community coalition leadership.

CADCA and Upstream Kansas are proud to introduce the members of the Kansas Youth Prevention Action Council.

Across Africa, coalitions are bringing together communities to improve prevention and promote healthier futures. Through local partnerships, education, and outreach, these groups are implementing evidence-based strategies to address the unique substance use challenges facing their communities. 

On Oct. 24, the National Association of Attorneys General released a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging for the closure of the hemp loophole, created by a provision in the 2018 Farm Bill that has resulted in the proliferation of hemp-derived THC and other intoxicating products throughout the country.

What does it really mean for your coalition to be ready to implement a new strategy, program, or policy?

The annual Kansas Prevention Collaborative (KPC) Conference took place in mid-October, bringing together prevention professionals, coalition leaders, and community partners from across the state of Kansas for two days of learning, connection, and collaboration. 

CADCA is proud to announce a new framework agreement for interinstitutional cooperation with the University of Guayaquil, marking an important milestone in advancing substance use prevention and community coalition development in Ecuador.