The Luck of the Irish: The Drinking Culture on St. Patrick’s Day
Every year on March 17, people from all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. In the United States, 127 million people – or 53 percent of the country – plan to celebrate. In 2015, millions of people spent $4.6 billion on St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, in the form of decorations and green garb.
From left: Brittany Dake from Jefferson County Drug Prevention Coalition, Angela Gonzalez from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, and Alicia Towery from Jefferson County Drug Prevention Coalition
My CADCA Experience
My experience with CADCA has been amazing. I have been to Mid-Year once and Forum twice. Both have been incredible experiences. CADCA has changed me and the person I am. Before going to CADCA, I was this shy person who didn’t ever want to talk, who didn’t necessarily want to sit through things like this, but after going to my first CADCA training in 2016, I changed and I wanted to learn more. I wanted to get up and speak about my ideas, give my opinions, tell everyone what I know.
CADCA’s 2017 National Leadership Forum Breaks Records
Earlier this month, I was honored to witness more than 3,000 passionate leaders gather at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center to hold important discussions and trainings about how we, as a global community, can increase and improve substance abuse prevention efforts.
Louisiana Coalition Lays Wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns Post-Forum
On Saturday, February 11th, members of the West Baton Rouge Healthy Drug Free Coalition, Louisiana, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery. I was honored to be invited to take part in the ceremony, representing CADCA and its staff.
Mrs. Toddie Milstead, the coalition’s drug free project coordinator, planned the event to coincide with her coalition’s attendance at CADCA’s 27th National Leadership Forum, February 6-9, 2017, held here in the Washington, DC, area.
National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week: An Opportune Time to Educate Youth on Substance Misuse and Abuse
Pop culture often perpetuates a false perception of the short and long-term implications of drug and alcohol misuse and abuse. Unfortunately, social media, television, internet, music and peer pressure often mislead teens to underestimate the serious ramifications of drug and alcohol use. In the month of January, National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week dedicates time and resources to helping youth learn and understand the true effects of drug use from experts in the field.
CADCA’s National Leadership Forum – Your Ticket to National Harbor Happenings
CADCA’s 27th Annual National Leadership Forum & SAMHSA’s 13th Prevention Day is located at the beautiful National Harbor, just a stone’s throw away from the nation’s capital. Whether you’re planning on arriving early, staying a few days, or just taking in the sights in your spare time, there is plenty to do at the National Harbor!
The Dangers of Drinking During the Holidays
Every year, tradition calls for champagne corks to be popped and wine to be passed as family and friends gather to celebrate the holidays and new year. While the celebratory toasts invoke socialization and the spirit of the season, too much consumption can lead to dangerous consequences to yourself and those around you.
CADCA Applauds the Surgeon General’s Release of Facing Addiction in America
The Surgeon General of the United States recently released The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health – Facing Addiction in America. This landmark report uniquely describes what we know about substance misuse and how the challenges associated with it can cascade, affecting individuals, families and communities. However, unlike traditional reports, it not only provides facts and details, but is also a call to action. In the words of The Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek K.
Shelby County Youth Coalition Members Encourage Community to Release Their Inner Hero
It doesn't take a superhero to change a life. The Shelby County Drug Free Coalition has been buzzing with work, making that motto extraordinarily prevalent this month. Because it is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, we decided October would be the perfect month to kick start the Medicine Safety Youth Educators Pilot, supported by CADCA and McNeil Consumer Healthcare.
My Summer with CADCA
Over the course of the summer, I’ve had the privilege of interning for CADCA as I pursue a degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CAR) at George Mason University (GMU). GMU encourages internships as a way to apply a student’s choice of study within a professional setting, and working for this premier organization has achieved just that.