Submitted by San Juan Island Prevention Coalition.

CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) 32nd National Leadership Forum in Washington DC was January 31-February 3, 2022. CADCA was committed to providing a safe, healthy, and memorable experience where members as a field could convene again in person. The Forum went incredibly well! These gatherings always recharge coalition members to keep up the excellent work in prevention. In addition, youth leader and SJIPC board member Luke Fincher was invited to present at the Forum!

Rock Solid leader Luke Fincher and team member Haley Rennick represented the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition (SJIPC) and Rock Solid well! Luke presented a workshop on Peer 2 Peer Empowerment Training and highlighted the need to engage more youth across the country to be the change in their schools and communities. With over 70 Forum members in attendance, Luke was greeted with a standing ovation at the end of his workshop! SJIPC is thrilled to share our teens’ positive work and is grateful, so many youths and adults support their efforts.

“I promote health and wellness in my school community by sharing the Healthy Youth Survey data to correct misperceptions of underage substance use among my peers. The fact is, most youth don’t use. I want to see all my classmates reach their full potential,” shares Luke Fincher.

“As my first experience at the Forum, I found it amazing and fun! The CADCA National Leadership Forum was eye-opening for me because I didn’t realize how many coalitions are in the United States,” says Haley Rennick.

CADCA represents over 5,000 community coalitions that involve individuals from key sectors, including schools, law enforcement, youth, parents, healthcare, media, and others. Contact media@sjipc.org to learn more about SJIPC’s work and mission to reduce underage substance use in our community.