ESD 112 prevention staff joined over 3,000 other community leaders and prevention professionals from around the country to participate in a premier national training event designed for community-based substance abuse prevention professionals, coalition leaders and prevention and addiction researchers.

The four-day event was held in February in Maryland and is the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) largest training for community-based prevention leaders. Participants learned the latest strategies to fight substance abuse and heard from nationally-known prevention experts, federal administrators, and concerned policymakers.

The forum brought together coalition representatives from all regions of the country and internationally, government leaders, youth, prevention specialists, addiction treatment professionals, addiction recovery advocates, researchers, education institutions, law enforcement professionals, and faith-based leaders. Attendees also took part in Capital Hill Day where they visited with Congressional Delegates from Washington state. Five community substance abuse coalitions from Southwest Washington met with US Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Congresswoman Jaime Herrera-Beutler. During the meetings, youth from Southwest Washington shared personal stories and of prevention needs in their communities.

Attendees (pictured above) included members from local Southwest Washington substance abuse prevention coalitions including the Prevent Coalition, Prevent Together Battle Ground Prevention Alliance, Unite Washougal and Connect Evergreen.