The 2019 Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum took place last month. Like-minded coalitions from all over the world convened in our nation’s capital to participate in educational workshops and reinvigorate their mission to prevent substance misuse in their communities.
An exciting feature of this conference was ‘Capitol Hill Day’ where state coalitions banded together to discuss issues facing their home states with their respective legislators.
On the Tuesday of the conference, Idaho coalitions were invited to meet together to discuss potential themes to go over with our congressmen the next day. At the table was: Danielle and Del Rae of the Lapwai Community Coalition, Lezhai and Chloe of the Bonneville Youth Development Council, Kate of the Custer County Coalition, and I, Megan, representing Drug Free Idaho.
Unanimously, it was decided that our message would focus on the threat of marijuana normalization and what we are doing in our communities to ensure that youth are prepared to make informed, healthy decisions surrounding substance misuse.
Excited to have appointments with three of our four congressmen, we met with Representative Fulcher, Senator Risch, and Senator Crapo’s Legislative Assistant. It was evident that Idaho’s leadership has youth at the forefront of their minds when it comes to substance misuse prevention.
Until next year, Washington DC!
Megan Wilson
Project Coordinator