Drug Abuse in the U.S.

Homeland Security Starts with the Hometown in Fighting Drug Abuse

The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (www.cadca.org) just held it's 13th Annual Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. More than 1500 conference attendees came from around the nation to show support for a group dedicated to fighting the biggest threat to national security in the United States, drug abuse.

Guest speakers included acting administrator for the Drug Enforcement Agency, Special Agent John Brown III, Under Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security Asa Hutchinson, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy John Walters and CADCA Chairman and CEO Major General Arthur Dean.

The Leadership Forum included a day on Capitol Hill for anti-drug coalition members to meet with their elected officials in order to further educate the legislators on the policy and issues affecting communities throughout the country with regards to drug abuse. That evening there was a reception in the Cannon House Caucus Room at which the Secretary of the Homeland Security Department Tom Ridge stated that the homeland will not be secure if the hometown isn't secure. Amidst applause from the attending coalition members and other legislators, Ridge emphasized the necessity for groups within our nation's boarders working to reduce the demand for illicit drugs through effective prevention and drug rehabilitation.

Grassroots community work such as that done by members of CADCA across the nation clearly doesn't go unnoticed in the eyes of the Federal Government, and that is why Mary Ann Solberg, former coalition leader, is now working for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Change must occur from the bottom up as well as the top down.

One of the exhibitors at the conference was the Narconon® Program, offering effective rehabilitation and prevention programs and materials based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard to those in need. According to Sue Birkenshaw from Narconon International, "It was great attending a conference where everyone was here to learn and help. There were a lot of amazing people doing amazing things to better this country and help fight drug abuse, which will make it safer for our children."

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