Over 2,500 Community Advocates to Participate in Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's 2013 National Leadership Forum

Four-day Conference to Help Community Leaders Tackle America's #1 Public Health Concern

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 2,500 substance abuse prevention and treatment specialists from throughout the country will convene in the Washington, D.C. area for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA) 23rd annual National Leadership Forum, which will be held February 4-7, 2013 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center. CADCA's National Leadership Forum is the nation's largest training for substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals and researchers, featuring more than 90 training courses to help community and state leaders address the nation's number one public health concern—substance abuse and its related problems.

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CADCA's National Leadership Forum is a four-day event packed with multiple opportunities to learn the latest strategies to fight substance abuse and hear from nationally-known experts and policymakers. The Forum brings together community anti-drug coalitions from all regions of the country, government leaders, youth, addiction treatment professionals, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals and faith-based leaders. Topics will include everything from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and marijuana use among youth and adults to how to reduce tobacco use.

"More than a conference, the CADCA Forum is a national movement that brings together federal and state officials and community leaders from across the country to find solutions to our nation's substance abuse problems," said Gen. Arthur T. Dean, CADCA Chairman and CEO. "Participants leave with fresh ideas and strategies that they can implement in their communities to prevent and reduce youth drug use."

The Forum will feature a number of renowned speakers, such as branding expert Dorie Clark, who will discuss "Marketing, Branding and Making a Difference."  Clark, a marketing strategist and Forbes and Harvard Business Review author, will also discuss her upcoming book Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future. Participants will also hear from Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Pamela Hyde, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Administrator; Michelle Leonhart, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator; Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), among others. For a full list of presenters, visit CADCA's Forum website.

In addition, during Capitol Hill Day on Feb. 6, participants will hear from several members of Congress, including Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Representatives Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and William Keating (D-Mass.).

Several hundred youth will also attend the meeting to take part in CADCA's workforce development training, the National Youth Leadership Initiative, where youth will learn how to become substance abuse prevention advocates and powerful community leaders.

For more information about CADCA's National Leadership Forum, visit http://forum.cadca.org/.

Members of the media interested in press credentials for the National Leadership Forum should contact Natalia Martinez Duncan at (703) 706-0560 ext. 256 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America), is the national membership organization representing Over 5,000 coalitions and affiliates working to make America's communities safe, healthy and drug-free. CADCA's mission is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally. Learn more at: www.cadca.org.

Media Contacts:
Natalia Martinez Duncan (703) 706-0560 ext. 256  

SOURCE Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)