When it comes to preventing drug and alcohol abuse in your community, there is no one-fits-all approach. As chairman and CEO for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), I see firsthand how important it is for communities to have customized strategies to combat risky behaviors, like teen cough medicine abuse, that are based on a community’s unique problems and circumstances. Our goal is to provide members of the community with the information and tools they need to assess their local substance abuse-related problems and develop a comprehensive plan to address them. Tomorrow, November 29, we’re traveling to Hialeah, Fla., to work with the local community to help raise awareness about prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine abuse among today’s youth. We want the moms, dads, grandparents, community stakeholders and teens in attendance to walk away with a greater understanding about the dangers of prescription and OTC medicine abuse. And more importantly, we want them to take action – talking about the risks associated with prescription and OTC medicine abuse and watching for red flags. Through this town hall conversation, the community will learn about of the key factors driving teen medicine abuse and be better equipped to take action to prevent prescription and OTC medicine abuse in their community. You can get your community involved in preventing drug and alcohol abuse by:

• Downloading the abuse prevention toolkit
• Sharing this informational video about teen cough medicine abuse
• Educating parents, grandparents and stakeholders on medicine abuse

Remember: It’s easy to make a difference. Learn more and take action to protect our teens today.

Arthur T. Dean became the Chairman and CEO of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) on August 31, 1998. His responsibilities as Chairman and CEO include providing strategic direction, diversifying and increasing funding, leading the board, being the primary spokesman for the organization and overseeing the operations and personnel of CADCA.