Earlier this month, Parents. The Anti-Drug (PTAD), a community organization comprised of parents, local government, school officials, clergy, and health providers whose mission is to increase communication about drugs and alcohol in the communities of Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood, and Riverwoods, had the opportunity to participate in the 2013 Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America's (CADCA) Leadership Forum in Washington D.C.
 

CADCA is the premier membership organization representing those working to make their communities safe, healthy and drug-free. The Forum featured more than 90 workshops aimed at helping CADCA's network of 5,000 coalitions develop comprehensive evidence-based strategies to prevent the use of illicit drugs like marijuana, as well as underage drinking, youth tobacco use, and the abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicines in order to achieve community-level change.

In addition, CADCA Forum participants participated in Capital Hill Day, where they heard from some of the biggest champions in Congress and visited with representatives from Illinois to educate about the prevention efforts being done in our local communities and the need for continued prevention funding.

PTAD members Liane Blanck and Cher Hanson at CADCA's Capital Hill Day.

  
Cher Hanson, the Prevention Specialist for Parents. The Anti-Drug attended the Forum along with Liane Blanck, a Community Health Specialist from the Lake County Health Department's Community Health Center's Prevention Services Program, who also serves on the PTAD board. The conference expenses were paid for by the Substance Abuse Prevention Programs grant from the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services, for which the Prevention Services Program at the Lake County Health Department is a recipient of.

Cher Hanson stated, "The partnership between the PTAD coalition and the Lake County Health Department has been instrumental to the success of this group. Having the opportunity to attend this forum allowed our coalition to take part in discussions and learn from others throughout the country about the successful strategies they have used to reduce underage drinking and drug use in their community. "

Four years ago, Parents. The Anti-Drug began addressing ways to keep the children in our communities drug and alcohol free. Athough parents are key, it takes everyone in the community to make change happen.

Hanson stated, "By working together we can change the attitudes among youth and adults in our communities about underage drinking and drug use and we can help create environments that discourage use."

For more information about Parents. The Anti-Drug, please visit www.parentstheantidrug.org.