Hubbard In Prevention Coalition Members Attend Leadership Forum on Substance Abuse Prevention

Representatives from Hubbard County, MN, including colleagues from CHI St. Joseph’s Health, headed to Washington, DC, to attend the 28^th Annual National Leadership Forum of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of Americas (CADCA). Forum topics ranged from how to prevent abuse of prescription and synthetic drugs to creating tobacco-free environments and policies to reduce underage drinking.

The Hubbard in Prevention coalition uses prevention strategies to help reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by youth in Hubbard County. Examples include workshops on substance abuse prevention for parents, law enforcement, teachers, and residents in the community; leadership retreats that teach youth leadership skills and effective ways to reduce alcohol and drug use in the community; Responsible Beverage Server training and compliance checks; and implementation of social host ordinances in Hubbard County communities. 

Angela Graham, grant coordinator for CHI St. Joseph’s Health, said the group was looking forward to meeting with Minnesota Representatives Colin Peterson and Rick Nolan and Senator Tina Smith while in Washington. “It’s important to educate members of Congress about what we do every day and the difference we are making in our communities,” she said.

CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is the nation’s largest training event for community prevention leaders, treatment professionals and researchers.