1. CALL CADCA'S COALITION INSTITUTE FOR BRIEF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
"My Board of Directors is out of control, help!!" The coalition leader who called CADCA recently to ask for help had an urgent tone in her voice. Through the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute, CADCA staff now provides brief technical assistance on a wide range of coalition issues, including board development and conflict resolution, as in the case above. Some of the more familiar topics we deal with involve the area of evaluation while others fall into the general category of sustainability. Most recently, several callers have requested assistance in reaching out to the faith community. Institute staff also provides technical assistance in such key areas as using data, strategic planning, and selecting science-based strategies.

Mark Yanick, the Institute's Training and Technical Assistance Manager who has been with CADCA nearly four years, says most common types of request for technical assistance are in the area of starting a coalition, locating funding, coalition management, and community mobilization. "A group of people will start meeting and then ask for help in involving other segments of the community such as education, law enforcement, etc. In response, I provide them with strategies for outreach to those groups, as well as talk about the importance of developing a strategic plan," stated Yanick.

To request technical assistance from the Coalition Institute, simply email Dr. Eduardo
Hernández-Alarcón, Deputy Director for Training and Technical Assistance at ehernandez@cadca.org; describe your request, and a technical assistance session with an Institute staff member will be scheduled shortly thereafter.

2. CADCA'S BEST WORKPLACE INITIATIVE CONTEST DEADLINE MAY 9
CADCA and SAMHSA are developing a Workplace Initiative. The first phase of the Initiative is to survey coalitions to determine interest and involvement with working with local businesses.

To enter CADCA's Best Workplace Initiative Contest, complete our short workplace survey. The coalition that responds with the most effective and successful workplace initiative will receive $500 and a year's membership to CADCA. Two other coalitions will be rewarded with Honorable Mention and $200.

Paid CADCA members should have received the survey by email. If you have not and would like it, email nembrey@cadca.org. Answers are due by Friday, May 9th.

3. SIGN UP FOR WEB SITE AND TOLL-FREE NUMBER CONNECTING VOLUNTEERS TO LOCAL COALITIONS
A free database promotes Community Anti-Drug Coalitions to individuals and groups looking to contribute. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Ad Council are linking interested individuals and community groups to local anti-drug coalitions through a public service advertising (PSA) campaign, which refers people to a Web site and toll-free number. Eligible coalitions can be included in the anti-drug database at no cost.

The specially designed zip code-based search featuring almost 650 anti-drug coalitions was developed in collaboration with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the Drug-Free Communities Programs. The site provides an outstanding opportunity for local anti-drug organizations to reach interested individuals and groups in their communities. The companion toll-free number, 1-877-KIDS-313, provides callers with the same information.

A majority of individuals accessing the Web site and calling the toll-free number are seeking to locate, contribute to or volunteer at local coalitions - up to 60 percent of those provided with a contact had followed up with coalitions. Sign up today and help build the database of coalitions!

If your organization meets the criteria, you can be included in the anti-drug coalition database. For more information, including eligibility requirements and an online application, visit www.HelpYourCommunity.org/contact_us. By becoming a part of the database, your coalition won't miss out on the caring contributions of individuals and groups in your area.

To preview some of the ads, which refer individuals and groups to HelpYourCommunity.org and the toll-free number, visit www.adcouncil.org/campaigns/Community_Drug_Prevention.

4. WEBCAST: "HELPING ADDICTED YOUTH FIND RECOVERY" MAY 7 FROM 3 - 4 P.M. EST
This Webcast will highlight effective treatment modalities and innovative strategies for youth, identifying the barriers to treatment they face. It will also look at youth who have overcome dependence and now are leading healthy lives.

The broadcast features Ivette Torres, Associate Director for Consumer Affairs, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a panel of experts including Maeve O'Neill, Program Director, Deep Run Lodge; Rita Rumbaugh, Prevention Specialist, Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools Safe and Drug-Free Schools; Bob Story, Coordinator, Epoch Counseling Center; Justin, Youth in Recovery.

After the webcast, you can participate in a live online discussion with Rita Rumbaugh, Prevention Specialist, Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools Safe and Drug-Free Schools, on May 21 from 3 to 4 p.m. EST. Questions may be posed in advance at: http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2003/multimedia/.

The broadcast will be archived for viewing at any time after May 7 premiere at http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2003/multimedia. Videotapes will be available through SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at a cost of $12.50 per copy at www.recoverymonth.gov.

5. DRUG COURT CONFERENCE STARTS MAY 14
The 9th Annual Adult Drug Court Training Conference, "Drug Courts: reaching New Heights," will take place from May 14 - 17 at the Reno Hilton Hotel in Nevada. The event is sponsored by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. For more information, visit http://www.nadcp.org.

6. ASSOCIATION FOR ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS SPONSORS TWO CONFERENCES
"Tools for Treatment Challenges: The NAADAC Mid-Central Regional Training Day on Co-Occurring Disorders and Buprenorphine Treatment" and the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA) Annual Conference will take place June 17-21 in Merrillville, IN. For more information, contact: Conference Chair Kevin Large at 574-247-1109 or via e-mail at klarge@alumni.kzoo.edu. Additional information is available at: http://naadac.org/documents/display.php?DocumentID=82

NAADAC's 2003 Annual Conference: "Advancing the Addiction Profession: Facing Today's Challenges" will take place September 14-17 in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact NAADAC at 800-548-0497. Additional information is available at: http://naadac.org/documents/display.php?DocumentID=44

7. $22M FOR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH STATES TO ENHANCE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications from state governors for cooperative agreements to expand and enhance state substance abuse treatment service systems. The cooperative agreements are designed to expand the continuum of care available in states to include screening, brief interventions, referrals and brief treatment for persons at risk of dependence on alcohol or drugs.

Approximately $22 million in funding will be available in 2003 to fund 7 cooperative agreements ranging from $2.5 million to $3.5 million each. The awards will be available for up to five years, depending on availability of funds and progress achieved. Eligible applicants for the Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT) cooperative agreements are limited to the Office of the Governor in states, and chief executive officers of territories and federally recognized Indian tribes.

The program announcement for the Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT) cooperative agreements (RFA-TI 03-009), sponsored by SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, is available on SAMHSA's web site at www.samhsa.gov or by phone from SAMHSA's Clearinghouse at 1-800-729-6686.

The deadline to apply is July, 2, 2003. Applicants with questions should contact Herman Diesenhaus, Ph.D., at 301-443-6575 or hdiesenh@samhsa.gov or Jean Donaldson, M.A., at 301-443-6259 or Jdonalds@samhsa.gov. Queries on grants management issues should be directed to Steve Hudak at 301-443-9666 or shudak@samhsa.gov.

8. MANY SAMHSA SUBSTANCE ABUSE GRANT APPLICATIONS DUE IN MAY
Many federal grant applications in the substance abuse area are coming due this month. Those whose deadlines are fast arriving include: Effective Adolescent Treatment (May 12); Strengthening Treatment Access and Retention (May 12); Substance Abuse Prevention (SAP) and HIV Prevention Minority Communities (May 23); Substance Abuse Treatment and HIV/AIDS services in Minority Communities (May 23); Targeted Capacity Expansion of Meth and Inhalant Prevention Interventions (May 23). For a complete list of grants and application information, visit: http://www.samhsa.gov/rants/content/2003/2003grants.html


9. TEN GRANTS SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR AT-RISK NATIVE AMERICAN KIDS
The Indian Health Service will award up to 10 grants for initiatives that assist at-risk American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth, including those who are detained or incarcerated or are in need of aftercare. Up to $700,000 is available for competitive grants. Five to 10 projects may be funded. Tribal, urban and nonprofit Indian organizations may apply. Applications are due May 15, 2003. To request applications, contact Martha Redhouse, (301) 443-5204.

10. HISPANIC YOUTH EXPOSED TO MORE ALCOHOL ADS THAN NON-HISPANICS, CAMY SAY
Hispanic youth in the U.S. have more alcohol advertising delivered to them than non-Hispanic youth across major youth-oriented media, according to a new report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth. The Center's analysis is the first comprehensive and systematic look at alcohol advertising exposure among Hispanic youth. Researchers say the report quantifies, for the first time, the exposure of Hispanic kids to alcohol advertising compared to non-Hispanic youth.

In auditing the exposure of Hispanic youth to alcohol advertising in magazines, and on television and radio in 2002, the Center found that Hispanic youth saw even more alcohol advertising in magazines than non-Hispanic youth; Hispanic youth heard more alcohol advertising on radio than non-Hispanic youth; alcohol advertising was placed on a majority of the TV programs most popular with Hispanic youth; both Hispanic youth overexposure and spending on alcohol advertising were concentrated in a few markets, primarily San Antonio, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston and San Francisco

For more information on CAMY and full text of this study, visit www.camy.org.

11. NEW WEB-BASED TOOL REVEALS ALCOHOL'S TOLL ON BUSINESS
A new Alcohol Cost Calculator demonstrates to businesses how they can save money and keep workers on the job and productive. For example, a financial services industry company employing 500 people may have: 27 problem drinkers in its workforce and 64 family members who are problem drinkers. Resulting from the problem drinking, the company would then lose: 550 work days per year due to sickness, injury and absence; 134 work days of lower productivity; and $132,881 in alcohol-related health care costs.
To use the Calculator, a business simply enters its business category and number of employees. A customized report, available instantly, details the findings. The Alcohol Cost Calculator is available free of charge, at www.alcoholcostcalculator.org. Business, government and citizen leaders interested in improved identification and treatment of alcohol problems have endorsed The Alcohol Cost Calculator. Their statements of support as well as CADCA's can be found at www.alcoholcostcalculator.org/pages/about/endorsements.html.

Ensuring Solutions will conduct trainings to help businesses get the most out of the Calculator on Monday, May 5 and Monday, May 12 at 1:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time. To register, email info@ensuringsolutions.org

12. MORE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO HELP PROMOTE NATIONAL PREVENT TEEN PREGNANCY DAY, MAY 6
Since teens consistently say that there parents are the biggest influence on their decisions about sex, the Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy created a National Day Quiz Discussion Guide for Parents to use in conjunction with the Quiz to help jump start conversation. The Guide can be downloaded at:
http://www.teenpregnancy.org/national/pdf/ParentDiscussionGuide.pdf. A Discussion Guide for Teens is also available, to help teachers, religious leaders, program leaders, peer mentors, etc. generate discussions with and among teens based on the National Day Quiz. Visit: www.teenpregnancy.org/national/pdf/TeenDiscussionGuide.pdf

Additionally, six different Audio PSAs, all written and recorded by teens, are available online. Four are in English and two are Spanish. Check out these Audio PSAs at: www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/reading/audiovisual.asp. And lastly, National Day banner ads are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Visit http://www.teenpregnancy.org/banners/nationalday/ or, if you prefer, contact the Senior Web Manager, Alexandra Gonzalez at agonzalez@teenpregnancy.org, to receive the original image files. Please be sure you link the banners to www.teenpregnancy.org - the site of the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Quiz.

13. SUBSTITUTE METH INGREDIENT FRUSTRATES PROSECUTORS
Methamphetamine laws haven't caught up with realities on the street, where police say an alternate method of "cooking" meth can be just outside the scope of prosecution. Copley News Service reports that red phosphorus, found in heads of matches, is used in one recipe for the drug, but it is not listed among six precursor ingredients under which prosecutors can bring meth-related charges.

If police bust a meth lab and one of the six precursor meth-making chemicals is found, it's easier to bring meth-related charges. Illicit ingredients linked by law to meth production include lithium metal (found in batteries) and hypophosphorus acid, to name a few. However, in some cases, police have busted labs where there were no precursor chemicals except leftover red phosphorus, making prosecution difficult, officials said.

The red phosphorus method is highly explosive. Store owners should watch for individuals purchasing a large amount of matches at one time, which are broken down and used as a chemical in meth manufacture. Store owners also should be aware of large purchases of ephedrine, an ingredient in cold medicines that also is used in meth manufacture.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and CADCA are registered trademarks. Use by permission of CADCA only.