Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As we observe National Substance Use Prevention Month this October, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress we’ve made as a nation while acknowledging the challenges that remain. For the first time since 2018, we have seen a decrease in overdose death rates—by 3%, to be exact. While this decline is a positive step forward, it is tempered by the sobering reality that over 107,000 Americans lost their lives to overdose in 2023 alone. This stark figure reminds us that our work is far from over, and we must be more vigilant than ever.
At CADCA, we know that prevention is the most powerful tool we have. Our mission is to equip coalitions with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to create positive change in their communities. We are committed to ensuring that every community has an evidence-based coalition focused on preventing substance use before it begins, halting the progression of use, and reducing the harms associated with it.
This month I also want to highlight the critical work that our coalitions do every day. Your efforts to engage youth, mentor community leaders, and collaborate with local partners are the foundation of a healthier future. You are on the front lines, ensuring that prevention becomes an integral part of the fabric of your communities, and your efforts are truly making a difference. You are the key to ensuring that our prevention strategies reach those who need them most and for that, I say thank you.
Throughout National Substance Use Prevention Month, we’ll host webinars and share on social media to highlight prevention’s impact. We’re proud to support the “Over the Dose” campaign, which educates communities on proper disposal of unused prescription drugs to prevent misuse, and the “Dose of Prevention” campaign, encouraging coalitions to raise awareness about the dangers of misusing over-the-counter cough medicine. Participation in these campaigns is a simple but powerful way to prevent harm, and we need your continued support to spread this important message.
Thank you for your tireless dedication to prevention. The work you do matters, and together, we can continue to build communities where substance use is prevented, not just treated. Let’s make the most of this National Substance Use Prevention Month to celebrate, advocate, and act.
Sincerely,
General Barrye L. Price, Ph.D.
President and CEO, CADCA
