SAFE and RISE project coordinators Susan Pulaski and Sierra Hilt joined more than 3,000 substance use prevention specialists and advocates from throughout the country for CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s) 30th Annual National Leadership Forum in Washington, DC last week.

“We were so excited to be able to spend several days with other similar organizations from across the country, learning and honing our prevention skills so our community can be a better place, one that doesn’t suffer from the harms of substance misuse,” said Susan Pulaski, Project Coordinator for SAFE in NM. “We plan to come back reenergized with new strategies under our belt to tackle substance use in Northern Michigan.”

CADCA’s Forum covered a wide range of topics – everything from how to prevent prescription misuse to addressing electronic cigarettes use, trending marijuana issues and how to develop policies to reduce underage drinking. SAFE in Northern Michigan has recently impacted the community by adding a “Hidden in Plain Sight” trailer which is set up like a teen bedroom to educate parents on drugs that are trending. SAFE and RISE Otsego representatives met with U.S. Representatives and Senators at the Forum’s Capitol Hill Day event on Wednesday, February 5; and discussed local concerns regarding underage drinking, vaping and youth marijuana use.

The mission of CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally. This is accomplished by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, training and special events.

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan is mandated by the Michigan Public Health Code to promote wellness, prevent disease, provide quality healthcare, address health problems of vulnerable populations, and protect the environment for the residents and visitors of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego counties. For more information, visit nwhealth.org.