I spent 2 1/2 life-altering days with the Connecticut Governors Prevention Project—as it was like looking into the mirror, as they are a microcosm of CADCA. Co-Leads Kelly Juleson and Roland Harmon rolled out the red carpet and exposed me to a sampling of Coalitions from across the State during a pizza luncheon at Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria—the best pizza I’ve had in my 62 years of life. While there I presented CADCA’s “Over the Dose” Campaign and heard about the remarkable things that Coalitions are doing within the State of Connecticut.
Day two began with coffee with the former Chief of Staff to the Governor for a discussion on mentorship and the importance of youth involvement in all we do. Next, I had a Zoom call with the most remarkable 18 year old whom I have been privileged to meet Neha Shanavas— who’s a current Molecular Biology Major and freshman at UConn who has already secured a Medical School slot at UConn. I next met with the Chief of Staff with DMAMA and shared CADCA’s long-term vision with Connecticut if we received Opioid Abatement Dollars. Finally, Kelly, Roland and I engaged in a Podcast for an hour to close out day two.

Day 3 reminded me of the tagline from the Army that “we do more before 9 am than most people do all day.” Thursday began with a 7 am Radio interview, followed by a 7:30 am TV interview with Fox News, followed by a 10 AM Press Conference in Middletown, Connecticut with Kelly Juleson; Mayor Ben Florsheim; Middletown Chief of Police Costa, the Acting Fire Chief, the DEA Special Agent in Charge; the Commissioner of Public Health; a local Coalition Leader, a Pastor, and numerous others.

This blog post was contributed by General Barrye L Price, CADCA’s President & CEO