Between February 2-5, 2026, CADCA welcomed thousands of prevention leaders to the Washington, DC metropolitan area for its 36й Annual National Leadership Forum. The conference united coalition members, youth leaders, federal officials, and partners from across the country, including more than 400 youth attendees, for four days of training, advocacy, and networking. More than 2,000 people took to Capitol Hill to participate in more than 250 meetings with members of Congress and advocate for the importance of advancing federal prevention policies. 

SAMHSA Prevention Day 

Day one featured SAMHSA’s Prevention Day, which centered on the newest Executive Order from the Trump administration, the Great American Recovery Initiative. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke candidly about the toll substance misuse has taken on families and communities across the country, stating “it’s a crisis that affects every American family.”  

At the heart of the initiative is a $100 million investment aimed at combatting homelessness, fighting opioid addiction, and improving public safety by expanding treatment options that emphasize recovery and self-sufficiency. A major focus is the Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-Based Treatment and Supports (STREETS) Initiative, which is designed to connect individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder with stable housing and long-term recovery support.  

Secretary Kennedy also announced a new $10 million Assisted Outpatient Treatment grant program to support adults living with serious mental health conditions. 

Kathryn Burgum, White House Great American Recovery Initiative Co-Chair and Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery, also discussed the Executive Order establishing the White House Faith Office, emphasizing the role of faith-based organizations in prevention and recovery efforts. She referenced the Faith Center within HHS, which will advance faith-based and community partnerships as part of a whole-of-community approach.  

Alex Adams, Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children & Families, highlighted another pillar of the plan: expanding access to Memoranda of Understanding for at-risk families through the A Home for Every Child initiative, with the goal of keeping children safely with their parents and out of the foster care system whenever possible.  

States and tribes can now receive a 50% federal match to provide buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone to parents whose children are at risk of entering foster care, helping families remain together through access to these medications. The program also allows states to include these medicines in their Title IV-E Prevention Program and claim federal reimbursement upon approval. 

Opening Plenary 

CADCA’s National Leadership Forum officially opened with remarks from newly confirmed Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Sara Carter. Director Carter echoed themes from Prevention Day, highlighting the importance of faith-based partnerships and expressing appreciation for the Great American Recovery Initiative. Drawing on her experience as an investigative journalist covering drug cartels and trafficking routes along the US-Mexico border, she spoke about the real-world consequences of illicit drug activity and the importance of prevention on the front end.  

She acknowledged the impact of the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program and thanked DFC grantees in the audience for their leadership. Carter also shared first-hand experiences visiting coalitions in their communities, reinforcing the important role that coalitions play in developing local solutions to national challenges.  

Legislative Plenary 

Wednesday’s legislative plenary featured Congressman Mike Lawler (NY) and constituent Julie Killian, who discussed the importance of effective advocacy and bipartisan leadership in tackling the substance use crisis. Killian offered practical advice for engaging lawmakers, suggesting “you can’t send a long email with all sorts of attachments with data. You’ve got to really synthesize it and get the most important points across.”  

Congressman Lawler underscored the bipartisan nature of prevention work, stating, “This is an issue that cuts across party lines… This is an issue that everybody has been touched by in some form or fashion.” He shared his personal connection to the issue and emphasized that behind every statistic is a real person, a real family, and a real story.  

Membership Breakfast 

At the membership breakfast on Tuesday, Smart Approaches to Marijuana President Kevin Sabet delivered a keynote address on the current landscape of drug policy and the role of prevention.  

“Meet people where they’re at, but don’t leave them where they’re at,” Sabet said. Similar to previous speakers, he stressed that prevention is a bipartisan issue and that effective solutions require collaboration between public health and public safety. Sabet spoke at length about what he described as “addiction for profit” industries, drawing parallels to the history of Big Tobacco and warning against repeating past mistakes with regards to marijuana legalization.  

He referenced the widespread normalization of tobacco in previous decades, from smoking sections on airplanes to cigarette advertising by physicians, as a reminder of what can happen when profits are prioritized over public health. Sabet also discussed emerging concerns around high-potency marijuana, Delta-8 THC, sports betting, and the targeting of specific populations, including low-income communities.  

“True freedom is the ability to say no to something that once controlled you,” said Sabet. “True freedom is the ability to say no to something that society is telling you is ok.” 

He closed with a message of solidarity, stating that “if anyone can take on these forces and be triumphant, it’s you—and it’s us together.” 

Additionally, CADCA presented prestigious awards to the following people demonstrating exceptional impact in the substance misuse prevention field: 

Премия Конгресса за лидерство

• Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04) 
• Representative Michael Lawler (R-NY-17)
• Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) 

Lifetime Achievement Award 

• Dr. Mark Gold 
• Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) 
• Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) 
• Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) 

Национальная премия за лидерство 

• Kirk Lane 

Outstanding Youth Leader Award 

• Sharmada Venkataramani 

Judge Michael J. Kramer Memorial Advocate of the Year Award 

• Julie Killian (New York) 
• Angela Kennecke (South Dakota) 

National Newsmaker Award 

• Amy Neville & Alexander Neville Foundation 

Outstanding State Member Award 

• Louisiana 

Dose of Prevention Award 

• Drug Free Cecil Youth Coalition 

Chairman’s Award 

• Breakwater 

Throughout the conference, one resounding theme was clear. Prevention works when we invest in the communities that make it possible. Mark your calendars for CADCA’s Mid-Year Training Institute, July 12-16, 2026, at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, FL.