Representatives from Hilton/Parma headed to the Washington, D.C. area, to join more than 2,500 substance abuse prevention specialists and advocates from throughout the country for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) 25th Annual National Leadership Forum, held February 2 to 5 at the Gaylord National Hotel.
Hilton-Parma Drug Intervention and Community Education received a $5,000 grant to travel to the conference. Organizers Laurie Polatas and Colleen Christ energized support in their community after experiencing first-hand the devastation that drug abuse can cause. “We are 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 drug and alcohol abuse,” says Laurie Polatas, Board Chair. Colleen Christ, Vice Chair, added, “We plan to come back with new strategies under our belt to tackle drug use and underage drinking in Hilton/Parma.
CADCA’s Forum will cover a wide range of topics – everything from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and heroin use to how to create tobacco-free environments and develop policies to reduce underage and excessive drinking.
The coalition was founded in 2014 and is the only one of its kind in Western Monroe County. Since its inception, it hosted an unused and expired prescription drug drop off event in December which collected 250 pounds of drugs. Another will be planned for the spring. HPDICE is also holding free educational events regarding prescription drug use, prescription drug safety and underage drinking at the Hilton Community Center in February and March. Details can be found at www.parmany.org/Recreation.
The HPDICE anti-drug abuse coalition also will meet with their U.S. representatives and senators during Capitol Hill Day, which takes place on Wednesday, February 4 during the CADCA Forum.
