On Saturday, September 14, CADCA hosted its 3rd Annual Youth Empowerment Conference in Puerto Rico, bringing together nearly 100 attendees dedicated to addressing key issues like the opioid epidemic, fentanyl, and tobacco prevention. Conducted entirely in Spanish and made possible in part by the Opioid Response Network, the conference featured two separate tracks, one for youth and one for adults. These tracks enabled attendees to have focused conversations about leadership, substance misuse, and trauma prevention.

This conference showcases CADCA’s efforts to reach all communities, taking into account the diverse needs of different populations. By providing prevention training and resources in Spanish, CADCA ensures that all Americans have access to essential prevention information and support.

Youth Track Sessions
Youth participants engaged in three main sessions, all led by CADCA Youth Trainers Andrea Marquez, Yurimar Santiago Torres, and a local facilitator Pedro Salamo. The morning session focused on Leadership and Collaboration where participants explored the importance of collaboration among all sectors of a coalition to create positive change in their communities, especially in substance misuse prevention.

In the second session, What Do You Know About These Substances?, youth participants discussed how tobacco, fentanyl, and e-cigarettes affect their peers. Participants left the session with a better understanding of the negative effects of these substances, in addition to the tools they need to actively participate in community prevention initiatives. The final session, You’re in Control, focused on the importance of personal responsibility in creating positive change. Participants were encouraged to use their newfound knowledge to promote healthy behaviors and lead substance misuse prevention initiatives.

Adult Track Sessions
The adult sessions mirrored the youth track’s focus on prevention, with a particular focus on Puerto Rico’s current public health issues. In the first session, Successes, Barriers, and Challenges for Tobacco Prevention in Puerto Rico, Alex Cabrera spoke on the progress and challenges faced by the island’s tobacco control initiatives. Participants learned about the latest tobacco-related statistics, public health risks, and the impact of secondhand smoke exposure.

The second session, Overcoming Systemic Trauma, led by Danielle Dubuc Wightman, explored the connection between trauma, stress, and addiction. Attendees were provided with strategies to address systemic trauma and informed about the long-term effects of trauma on communities and its role in substance misuse.

Katiana Perez presented the final session, Fentanyl: Why Here, Why Now?, which provided a deep dive into the history and current trends of fentanyl use. During the session, she offered prevention strategies to deal with this epidemic. Attendees gained knowledge on how to raise awareness of its dangers and better combat fentanyl misuse.

The conference concluded with a joint session called In Action where both adult and youth participants came together to share their experiences and work together on prevention strategies, highlighting the value of intergenerational dialogue and collaboration.