"Our visit to Capitol Hill is one of the favorite days for our attendees, because they all of a sudden realize that their voice does count!"

Shirley Morgan of the Mount Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime in Mt. Hood, Oregon

"Capitol Hill day was a real treat. I visited the office of my Congressman, Todd Platts. He is a fine Statesman who focuses on family issues! Then it was off to Senator Specter's office. I met with his legislative aide as well. She was kind enough to give me about 10 minutes of her time to explain our MOMSTELL work. I rounded off my visit with Senator Santorum's office. I spoke with his Legislative correspondent, who listened intently as I explained our MOMSTELL mission and explained about the methamphetamines that are now entering our state. At the end of our conversation she asked if she could put our contact information out to the district offices as a family drug and alcohol resource. So all in all I had a good day at the Capitol! I saw hundreds of CADCA red buttons there and that was so encouraging!"

Sharon L. Smith of MOMSTELL in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

“Every year the staff tells us how important it is to stop by and let them know how we are using our federal dollars. This year we took a large group of Washington constituents to meet with Mary Frances Repko, Senator Cantwell's legislative director. Because the Senator will be introducing methamphetamine legislation this year, she asked our group to e-mail vignettes about how methamphetamine is impacting communities in Washington State .  We were able to generate 35 stories from all across our state.”

Julie Peterson of the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation in Seattle, Washington

"As a first-time delegate, I was truly empowered by my CADCA experience. I found the afternoon on Capitol Hill to be of particular value. This experience provided a simple but powerful reminder. That reminder being this — with less than four months in my new position, I must always remember that I am an important link. Not only do I serve as a link of prevention and care for the students I work with — I am a critical link to our elected officials. I have more than a right to share the outcomes, initiatives and needs of our work — I have an obligation and a responsibility to do so. Call it a “Lesson 101 in American democracy,” but after the CADCA conference, I feel prepared and motivated to communicate, work and collaborate with elected officials on all levels. They need to hear my voice and now I will make sure they do."

Gina Calcamuggio of S.H.A.P.E. in Holland, Ohio

"I had a wonderful experience on CADCA's Capitol Hill Day.  We also met with a staff person from both Representative Ney's and Representative Strickland's offices. We were very well received in all four offices. Everyone was very much concerned about the issues we brought to their attention and very interested and supportive of our work. Representative Ney's staffer was thrilled that we were willing to come in and share with him the issues we face in Jackson County around youth substance abuse. He was quite impressed with the community mobilization we have done around youth development as our response to these issues. He asked us to keep the office constantly informed about these issues and our progress in addressing them."

Susan Wolford of the Jackson County Family and Children First Council Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition in Jackson County, Ohio

"The National Leadership Forum is a wonderful opportunity to learn from peers around the country, and we always look forward to Capitol Hill Day. This year, we had a delegation of close to 40 people meet with the legislative assistants of our Senators from Ohio. Many in the delegation also met with staff members of their congressional representative. It was empowering to experience the democratic process in our nation's capital, and serves as a motivation for us in our advocacy efforts closer to home."

Kristen Gish and Stephanie Beougher of Ohio Parents for Drug Free Youth

"The representatives to Senators Voinivich and DeWine were very receptive to our large group.  Attending in a large delegation was a first  for me.  Not only did we receive encouragement from the aides of the senators but we showed unity in our efforts as a group for the good of the whole.  Together we can continue to support our awareness and prevention strategies in our communities against at-risk behaviors of our youth."

Deb Chany of the Sylvania Community Action Team in Sylvania, Ohio

"These meetings went extremely well...Since our legislators are already famililar with the Clatskanie Together Coalition, it was a good time to build on our relationship.  There was a great deal of discussion on legislation regarding the meth crisis as well as continued funding for anti-drug coalitions in the future."

Robin Fouche of the Clatskanie Together Coalition in Clatskanie, Oregon

"We had a wonderful opportunity to meet and share information with the staff person for Representative Oxley.  Our team of four appreciated the chance to work together to plan this visit and to begin a relationship with our representatives in Washington."

Janet Chandler of Recovery and Prevention Resources in Mt. Gilead, Ohio

Capitol Hill Day Photo Gallery

Dr. Drew Pinsky opens the Forum XVIII morning Plenary Session to a packed house.	Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-7th/IL) inspires the Forum XVIII crowd with his eloquent words.
Youth Forum participants gather in front of the Capitol before meeting with Members of their congressional delegation.	Forum participants arrive at the Capitol  building for their legislative visits.
Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-3rd/MN) speaks passionately about H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.	Forum participants cheered and waved signs in the shape of playing cards that read "Deal with Drugs and Deal with Underage Drinking," at the Forum XVIII Capitol Hill Day Rally.
Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-1st/RI) addresses the Capitol Hill Day crowd on prevention and treatment issues, while "rallying the troops" before meeting with their elected officials.	On Capitol Hill Day, Sue Thau, CADCA's Public Policy Consultant, prepares advocates for their visits to Capitol Hill.
General Dean presents a Congressional Leadership Award to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-30th/TX), for her work to restore funding to the State Grants Portion of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program.	General Dean introduces Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), longtime champion for prevention and co-author of the Drug Free Communities Act, at the Capitol Hill Day Reception.