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.
The goal of the event was to equip participants with practical tools to improve community-based prevention efforts and mobilize young leaders in Puerto Rico. Throughout the conference, attendees participated in a range of workshops and sessions designed to build youth leadership capacity for substance misuse prevention, support the launch and growth of coalitions, and offer strategies for sustainability and stakeholder engagement.
Led by CADCA Trainers Yurimar Santiago and Andrea Marquez, youth participated in interactive workshops covering advocacy, public speaking, and strategic planning. Additionally, they practiced how to conduct community assessments and develop action plans, skills that will support their continued involvement in prevention work. CADCA National Youth Action Council member Samir Vega Ortiz delivered the opening and closing remarks for participants.
Adult participants, including ASSMCA staff, National Guard members, and coalition leaders, attended coalition development sessions focused on the coalition model, organizational structure, recruitment strategies, and Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant requirements. On the second day of the conference, CADCA’s Fabrizia Barela co-facilitated the Coalition Launch training.
Beyond classroom-style learning, the event offered valuable opportunities for collaboration and networking. ASSMCA organized both indoor and outdoor prevention activities, allowing youth and adults to connect and begin building relationships that support long-term coalition work.
During the conference, CADCA President & CEO, General Barrye L. Price, PhD, met with several key leaders, including Puerto Rico Police Commissioner and Former FBI Puerto Rico Office Director Joseph Gonzales; ASSMCA Administrator Dr. Catherine Oliver Franco; Mr. Isaac Hernandez, Assistant Administrator for Prevention and Promotion of Mental Health, who expressed their commitment to advancing community coalitions in Puerto Rico; DEA Representatives Clifford “Santana” Brown and Samuel Esquilin; and House Majority Leader Jose (Pichy) Torres Zamora.
CADCA will continue supporting this work through future conferences and training opportunities like bootcamps, Academies, and expanded training and technical assistance, including possible support using the Arkansas model for opioid settlement funding. To work with CADCA to bring a similar approach to your Spanish-speaking community, please contact CADCA Director Gonzalo Cadima at gcadima@cadca.org.
Samir Vega, NYAC member
Yurimar Santiago, CADCA Trainer
