CADCA is a prominent substance use prevention organization dedicated to fostering safe, healthy, and drug-free communities. Our core approach involves the establishment of multisector drug prevention community coalitions. CADCA currently represents and collaborates with over 5,000 community-based coalitions across the United States and 28 countries worldwide. These community coalitions serve as formal platforms for collaboration among diverse community sectors, allowing each group to maintain its unique identity while collectively pursuing a shared objective. These coalitions are primarily led by local residents and sector representatives, ensuring that the community's authentic voices guide the strategies employed to address local issues. CADCA actively engages various local sectors, including businesses, parents, media, law enforcement, schools, faith organizations, health providers, social service agencies, and government entities, to facilitate collaboration and the development of comprehensive plans, policies, and strategies. The ultimate aim is to reduce illicit drug use and crime rates at the community level while simultaneously providing communities with the necessary support to enhance their strength, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
CADCA is a global association comprising over 5,000 coalitions in the United States of America and 400 International Community Coalitions spread across 29 countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Our international network includes over 13,000 trained volunteer members dedicated to building safe, healthy and drug-free communities.
In carrying out coalition-building activities, the CADCA model utilizes an evidence-based strategic planning process known as the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to foster the development of community coalitions. The application of the SPF allows a community coalition to 1) assess prevention needs based on epidemiological data; 2) build prevention capacity; 3) develop a strategic plan; 4) implement effective community prevention policies, practices, and programs; 5) evaluate efforts for outcomes; 6) sustain coalition efforts and outcomes over time.
The CADCA model empowers community coalitions to think and act comprehensively. Comprehensive strategies are integral to developing strategic and action plans, enabling coalitions to determine the necessary steps and activities for community change. Applying these strategies allows coalitions to identify, design, and implement specific interventions, resources, knowledge, and local capacities essential for addressing identified local conditions. This comprehensive approach brings about community changes, reducing substance use rates over time.
Examples of Global Level Outcomes:
MÉXICO - From April 2017 to August 2018, the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research and Evaluation within the Health Sciences Department of the University of Texas in El Paso conducted an independent evaluation that reports reductions in the past 30-day use of illicit substances in Mexico. The data was gathered through student surveys administered in 18 schools throughout 18 cities where community coalitions had intervened in preventing substance use among youth. Interventions have involved multiple strategies, such as modifying attitudes, perceptions, and norms.
PERÚ - In 2012, researchers from Michigan State University and the University of Kansas jointly evaluated community changes in the five districts of Lima, Peru, where the first CADCA-affiliated coalitions were formed between 2006 and 2011. Results indicated that these community coalitions had achieved significant reductions in the rates of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs among youth and young adults. The study also found substantial decreases in gang-related problems, buying and selling drugs, and crimes in each district.
The White House Office on National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) administers a federal grant program known as the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Act which funds community coalitions throughout the United States. Under this program, community coalitions receive training and technical assistance through CADCA. An independent evaluation of the DFC program conducted by ICF reports significant reductions in past 30-day use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription medications among middle and high school students in communities with a DFC Coalition. For more information please visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DFC-NATIONAL-EVALUATION-EOY-REPORT_2022_Report_2023_AUG_28_FINAL_ONDCP-APPROVED.pdf
Current State Participants
CADCA collaborates with governments at various levels to institutionalize community-based prevention coalitions and local problem-solving strategies.
Our approach involves navigating existing systems, leveraging local and national resources, and aligning with established prevention infrastructure. We emphasize connections to national drug policies and strategies to enhance, sustain, and scale up prevention efforts. This collaborative process involves capacity building, ongoing partnerships, and insights shared by representatives from national community coalition associations across different countries, national drug control agencies, and local municipal governments. Our commitment to establishing community-based prevention infrastructures through community coalitions currently extends to the countries Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Tajikistan, Togo, Uganda, and Uruguay.
Eric Siervo, M.Ed. Vice President, International Programs, CADCA Email: esiervo [at] cadca [dot] org (esiervo[at]cadca[dot]org)
