SAFE COALITION TAKES PART IN NATIONAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO, FL - To Learn New Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Substance Abuse

Health advocates from the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition joined 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, FL July 20-24. The week-long training took 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 lectures 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 featured 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).

“We were 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, Heidi Bainbridge, Coalition Director. “We are reenergized with new strategies under our belt to tackle drug use and its associated problems in Van Buren County.”

CADCA’s Mid-Year covered 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.

Van Buren County SAFE Coalition seeks to stimulate community involvement to promote responsible behaviors among youth and adults, leading to a SAFE and healthy community.  For more information on the SAFE Coalition and its work in Van Buren County please contact us at 319-293-6412 or info@vbsafecoalition.com.