CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) is partnering with McKesson Corporation to kick-off a substance abuse prevention pilot program specifically tailored to veterans. Starting in fall 2017, five selected coalitions will implement prevention projects with a focus on the veteran demographic in their community.

“Our veterans have fought valiantly for our country and sacrificed greatly,” said General Arthur T. Dean, Chairman and CEO of CADCA. “We are hopeful that this program will shed light on the most effective substance abuse prevention strategies for our veteran population and how to stop the problem before it starts.”

CADCA and McKesson share a passionate commitment to combatting substance abuse. CADCA is contributing to the program by mobilizing, engaging, training, surveying, supporting and evaluating highly successful community coalitions. With a high density of veterans across our nation, the comprehensive coalition approach is the best local solution to address the substance abuse crisis in the veteran community.

“McKesson is proud to partner with CADCA on this initiative, which reflects our company’s commitment to supporting veterans and to helping address the nation’s opioid crisis,” said Peter Slone, Senior Vice President, McKesson Public Affairs. “CADCA’s expertise in community anti-drug programs will help us all determine the most constructive way to tackle this epidemic.”

CADCA selected five coalitions who have graduated from the National Coalition Academy to implement substance abuse prevention projects focused on veterans in their communities. The five coalitions represented different demographics and environments. Participating in the study is the Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition, Inc. from Kingston, Tennessee; Prevention Coalitions for Success (PC4S) from Murfreesboro, Tennessee; The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services from Lawrenceville, Georgia; Troy Drug Free Community Coalition from Troy, New York; and Carter County Drug Free Coalition from Ashland, Kentucky.