Five of the seven US Drug Czars were in one location at the same time. The occasion was the annual meeting of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) National Forum. Held each year in our nation’s capital, this event is attended by over 2,500 coalition leaders from around the US and overseas. This year, the 25th annual Forum, attendees learned how coalitions and their members are Agents of Change. Coalitions are viable, active, change agents making a difference every day in the lives of millions across the country.
The Porter County Substance Abuse Council sent three individuals to Washington, DC to learn about effective, evidence-based strategies that help reduce substance abuse in communities. Michelle Volk, President of the Substance Abuse Council, noted that “marijuana use is increasing because our youth think it is okay, it’s not. I so enjoyed hearing former Drug Czar William Bennett talk about the dangers of marijuana.” Jaime Bauer, Secretary of the Board, collaborated with coalitions in Lake and La Porte Counties knowing that the substance abuse problem does not stop at an invisible line between counties.
The focus of the Forum was prevention. For every $1 that a community spends on prevention there is a savings of between $2 and $20. A recipient of the federal Drug Free Communities Grant, the Substance Abuse Council is investing $125,000 per year in prevention in Porter County. The savings to Porter County is between $250,000 and $2,500,000, per year for up to ten years.
If you would like additional information about the Porter County Substance Abuse Council and its work in the community, please contact Beatrice Owen at 219-462-0946. For more information about the Substance Abuse Council, visit their website, www.portercountysac.org.