Marengo County Children’s Policy Council to participate in National Substance Abuse Prevention Conference

Health advocates from the Marengo County Children’s Policy Council will join more than 1,700 substance abuse prevention specialists from across the country at Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) 2014 Mid-Year Training Institute in Orlando, Fla. July 20-24. The week-long training will take place at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Hotel.

CADCA’s Mid-Year Training Institute is a one-of-a-kind intensive training opportunity, offering more than 70 half-day and two-day courses geared towards helping participants find solutions to their community’s toughest substance abuse problems. Attendees participated in a variety of lecture and hands-on sessions to expand their knowledge in prevention science and improve their skills in implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce drug and alcohol use. This year’s Mid-Year will feature a number of renowned experts in the field of substance abuse prevention, such as Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy, and Kana Enomoto, Deputy Principal Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

CADCA’s Mid-Year will cover a wide range of topics – everything from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and the abuse of synthetic drugs to how to create tobacco-free environments, reduce impaired driving and develop policies to reduce marijuana use and underage drinking.

“We are fortunate to be able to spend a week with other similar organizations from across the country, learning and honing our skills so we can more effectively prevent drug and alcohol abuse,” says Connie Brown, Coalition Coordinator for Community in Action Project (CIA). “We hope to return reenergized with new strategies under our belt to tackle drug use and its associated problems in Marengo County.”

The Marengo County Children’s Policy Council (CPC), which is comprised of key leaders and community members, along with Host Agency, Southern Prevention Associates, received an Alabama Department of Mental Health Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) for supporting the goals of reducing underage drinking, reducing binge drinking, and reducing the number of people drinking and driving or riding in a vehicle with someone who has been drinking in Marengo County. Three members of the CIA Sub-Committee will be attending the conference.

It is the mission of The Marengo Children’s Policy Council (CPC) is to identify needs and resources to protect children and families through the collaboration of individuals and agencies serving our county.