More than 400 business leaders from the Washington, D.C. area and across the country attended CADCA’s 17th annual Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner Oct. 7 in Washington, D.C. The Drug-Free Kids Campaign recognizes leaders who support CADCA’s effective substance abuse prevention model. Funds raised through the campaign help support CADCA’s efforts to build and strengthen local community coalitions and transform youth into civic leaders to reduce substance abuse.

The Honorable William Lacy Clay, Jr. (D-Mo.), a major champion for drug prevention, provided remarks. ABC7/WJLA anchorman Leon Harris served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. The Honorable Mary Bono, the 2015 Campaign Dinner Chair, also addressed the audience that included members of CADCA’s DC-area coalitions and its Coalition Advisory Committee.

CADCA honored Mark Trudeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, as its Humanitarian of the Year for his personal commitment to help prevent teen drug use, support of CADCA’s mission and Mallinckrodt’s collaborative approach to addressing our nation’s opioid addiction crisis.

“For over two decades, CADCA’s evidence-based community problem solving model has trained community coalitions around the country to develop comprehensive solutions to their local substance abuse problems,” said CADCA Chairman and CEO Gen. Arthur T. Dean. “However, addressing our nation’s substance abuse challenges requires collaboration and commitment from every sector, including the business community. Mark Trudeau and Mallinckrodt represent an outstanding partner, working closely with CADCA to address the complex issues of substance abuse and diversion.”

“Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to providing safe and effective medications for the treatment of patients with pain and is equally committed to working with policymakers, law enforcement and industry to address the complex issues of opioid addiction and abuse,” Trudeau said. “To be successful, state and federal legislators and regulators, patients and patient advocacy groups, physicians and provider groups, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, law enforcement, wholesalers, and manufacturers must all work together.”

Trudeau ended his remarks with a quote from President Abraham Lincoln: “I walk slowly, but I never walk backward.”

CADCA also honored Karen and Jamie Moyer, co-founders and vice presidents of The Moyer Foundation, as the 2015 Champions for Drug-Free Kids, recognizing their commitment to helping children impacted by substance use disorders and trauma.

“I can’t think of a better demonstration of what this is all  about,” Karen Moyer said. “The bigger the team, the bigger the difference.” The latter was a baseball reference for her husband, Jamie, a retired World Series MLB player.

A portion of the Drug-Free Kids Campaign benefits CADCA’s National Youth leadership Initiative (NYLI), an evidence-based youth development training that helps young people and their adult advisors strategically address their local alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems. CADCA trains over 1,400 youth and adults each year through the NYLI. Youth trainers from the NYLI program Lauren Foisy and DeJohn Taylor also provided remarks at Wednesday’s event about the impact of CADCA on their communities.

“CADCA and its NYLI are changing the world. The face of prevention is the face of transformation,” Taylor told the audience, who gave the youth a standing ovation.

The NYLI brought a Photovoice exhibit to the dinner. Photovoice uses photography as a means of social change. With this project, CADCA’s NYLI has been working with the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health and the D.C. Prevention Centers to spread awareness and bring attention to the growing issues of substance use and abuse. Youth from all eight wards had their photography featured in the exhibit. For DC metro coalitions, you can check out the Photovoice exhibit again at McPherson Square all day on Friday.

Thank you to our many sponsors and supporters for a successful campaign.

Visit https://drugfreekids.cadca.org for more details about the campaign and the Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner. See pictures on CADCA’s Facebook page. Follow at #DFKCampaign.