Thanks to all who attended CADCA's 18th Annual National Leadership Forum!

Pictures

Click here to view photos taken from the event.

Click here to view videos of the Got Outcomes! 2007 Coalition of the Year award winning coalitions.

Forum Wrap-Up

Drug Prevention Leaders Learn the Latest Strategies at CADCA Forum

More than 2,600 alcohol and drug prevention and treatment advocates from communities across the country brought their energy and passion to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. this week for CADCA´s 18th Annual National Leadership Forum. The event provided participants an opportunity to learn the latest on key substance abuse issues and to hear from nationally-known experts and policymakers.

Participants included community anti-drug coalitions of all regions of the country, addiction treatment professionals, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals, faith-based leaders, government leaders and youth.

The Forum kicked off with a riveting keynote address by Dr. Drew Pinsky, a board-certified addiction medicine specialist and host of VH-1's Celebrity Rehab, who thanked community coalition leaders for their tireless efforts to reduce youth alcohol and drug use.

"I love CADCA, I love you, you humble me!" Dr. Pinsky told attendees. "You guys do the real work."

Dr. Pinsky stressed the importance of addressing the rising prescription drug abuse rates, calling on coalition leaders to help educate the nation about the real dangers of abusing prescription medicines.

"I am sick of hearing of a young person dying because of a drug overdose and people saying, 'oh well, it was doctor prescribed,'" he stressed. "It's a major cultural problem.kids don't perceive the harm of taking these drugs."

Participants also heard some inspiring words from Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, who discussed the Surgeon General's Call to Action on Underage Drinking; and from John Walters, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

In addition to hearing key leaders, attendees sharpened their skills and learned new strategies at the more than 100 workshops at the Forum, which touched on a wide range of topics-from environmental strategies to reduce youth marijuana use to the latest research on alcohol abuse prevention.

The Forum ended with an award's luncheon honoring Former Congressman Rob Portman, who was instrumental in the development and funding of the Drug-Free Communities Act. The former Director of the Office of Management and Budget recalled how the idea for the Drug-Free Communities program was born and urged coalition leaders to continue to advocate for programs like these. CADCA awarded Portman with it's highest honor-the National Leadership Award.