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. The letter, signed by 39 state and territorial attorneys general, advocates for closing the hemp loophole “to leave no doubt that these products are illegal and that their sale and manufacture are criminal acts.”

What does it really mean for your coalition to be ready to implement a new strategy, program, or policy? In mid-October, CADCA hosted the sixth webinar in its 18-part series, Competencies in Focus. Each webinar explores one of CADCA’s Coalition Competencies, a research-backed framework designed to strengthen coalition work. Developed in partnership with the Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St. Louis, these competencies are the result of more than three years of research and input from coalition leaders.

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.

October is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month and an important reminder that prevention starts at home and in our communities.  

Earlier this year, a new coalition formed in Payette County, Idaho with a vision to help kids grow up safe, healthy, and ready to succeed.

How did Williamstown use assessment and data to successfully pass the region's first comprehensive smokefree policy?

This week, 81 national and state public health, medical, law enforcement, and consumer protection organizations signed onto a letter urging Congress to include language in the final FY 2026 Agriculture appropriations bill to close the hemp loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill.

In August 2025, five CADCA staff members attended the National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH) in Chicago, Illinois. As one of the largest national gatherings for tobacco prevention professionals, the conference brought together leaders, practitioners, and advocates to share strategies and strengthen connections across the field.

Through the Retail Alcohol Data (RAD) Collaborative, 31 community coalitions across 15 states visited 2,368 stores to collect data on alcohol pricing, placement, and promotion.

At CADCA’s 2025 Mid-Year Training Institute in Nashville, seven youth leaders from the Voices of Youth program presented the projects they’ve been building over the past year. Through hands-on training and mentorship, youth participants design and implement projects addressing substance use and mental health challenges where they live.

At this year’s Mid-Year Training Institute, CADCA introduced a new offering: Enhanced Technical Assistance (TA) for 11 coalitions in Arkansas. This is an exciting step forward in how we support coalitions in their journey.

Earlier this summer, CPHSS’s Zara Petkovic and Laura Brossart led a webinar to guide attendees through the research behind CADCA’s Coalition Competencies and provide insights on how coalitions can begin building stronger internal communication processes.

From July 20-24, prevention professionals from across the globe convened in Nashville, TN for CADCA’s 24th Annual Mid-Year Training Institute. With more than 2,100 attendees, including over 400 youth attendees, the conference offered hundreds of educational workshops and unparalleled networking opportunities.

On July 23, 2025, Terrance Cole was sworn in as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator. Cole, a former Naval Officer, has 31 years of law enforcement experience, including 22 years at the DEA. During his tenure as a DEA Special Agent, he served in a variety of domestic and international posts, including Colombia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.