Every year, CADCA hosts a Dose of Prevention Challenge in partnership with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s Stop Medicine Abuse campaign. Aligning with National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month in October, the goal is simple: get coalitions to educate their communities and spread awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine misuse. We are excited to announce the 2024 winner and runners-up of the 2024 Dose of Prevention Challenge.
Overall Winner: Orange County Drug Free Coalition
Headquartered in Orange County, FL, the Orange County Drug Free Coalition hosted various events and activities to raise awareness and educate youth, adults, and the broader community about the dangers of OTC cough medicine misuse and prescription medication misuse. Through partnerships with schools, community events, and youth-led initiatives, they reached an estimated 60,000 people with prevention messaging.
The coalition’s school-based efforts started with an application process, inviting schools to share why prevention is important to them and how they would involve students, staff parents, and the community in drug prevention efforts. The winning schools were then awarded funding from the Orange County Government to support their events and initiatives. A total of 43 schools participated, reaching more than 50,000 students across the county. Dose of Prevention posters were displayed in school front offices, providing parents and staff with statistics on cough medicine abuse and prescription drug misuse. The coalition also distributed brochures to parents and encouraged student participation through essay, poster, and poem contests. On October 29, the Mayor and the Board of Orange County Commissioners recognized the winning schools during a County Commission Meeting.
Beyond schools, the coalition engaged parents and community members through Drop Off & Drop-In meetings to share brochures and drug prevention information, Family Engagement Night featuring a Dose of Prevention display, and National Drug Take Back Day. Youth leaders were also involved in these efforts, organizing a How Sweet It Is to Be Drug-Free event at a popular dessert shop, and conducting presentations about the risks of medication misuse on Bullying Prevention Unity Day.
First Runner-Up: Pledge for Life Partnership
Located in Kankakee, IL, Pledge for Life Partnership reached approximately 10,000 people through a series of events hosted in the month of October 2024. They engaged youth through a Red Ribbon Week coloring contest, encouraging children to make healthy, drug-free choices. Their Hidden in Plain Sight trailer project was featured at multiple community events, educating parents about how teens might conceal usage of substances and providing Deterra drug disposal pouches.
The coalition reached more than 9,500 students in grades K-8 through its Life Education Centers, whose educators were focused on safe medication practices during the month of October. Pledge for Life Partnership also spoke to 160 eighth-graders at Teen Conference about the dangers of OTC medicine misuse and safe medication practices. Other efforts include the creation of public service announcements raising awareness about the risks of DXM, a commonly misused ingredient in cough medicine; radio interviews that aired throughout the month; billboard campaigns in both English and Spanish; social media outreach; and educational materials distributed to families.
Second Runner-Up: Alleghany Highlands Healthy Youth Coalition
Based in Covington, VA, the Alleghany Highlands Healthy Youth Coalition raised awareness about medicine misuse through the month of October, reaching more than 26,000 community members. The coalition provided educational materials at several local events, including the Alleghany Highlands Community Health and Wellness Fair, the Clifton Forge Fall Festival, and the Omni Homestead Resort Community Health and Wellness Fair.
In addition to in-person engagement, the coalition participated in a radio interview to educate listeners about the dangers of OTC cough medicine and prescription drug misuse; launched a social media campaign that reached more than 4,500 people; and partnered with local schools and organizations to educate youth about the dangers of medicine misuse. They also participated in National Drug Take Back Day, distributing educational resources and safety products like pill sorters and lockboxes. Their efforts highlight the benefits of partnering with various community groups including local businesses, healthcare providers, and youth organizations.
