Who We Are - Overview

Communities Against Substance Abuse continues to make positive change in community standards and policy with respect to substance abuse prevention. The organization demonstrates ongoing dedication to community-based prevention through research, education, advocacy and service. Our coalition sees a vision of healthier communities where kids pass love notes instead of nickel bags, where they fall asleep in class because they stayed up late–studying, where students enjoy lockers again because there are no more drugs, where adults talk with and listen to children about drugs and alcohol–and lead by example. Through partnership, collaboration and respect, we are making drug free communities happen.

As a result of March 2000 Inhalant Abuse Prevention Media Campaign by Communities Against Substance Abuse, the Drug/Violence Prevention Program of the State of California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement is producing an inhalant prevention curricula to include in its training curriculum for law enforcement officers and community groups.

As a result of a Communities Against Substance Abuse-driven media campaign to expand San Diego County's Drug Court program of therapeutic justice, the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors recently voted to expand Drug Courts to provide treatment to every nonviolent drug offender in San Diego County.

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Launched a regional youth alliance to advance underage drinking and illicit drug use prevention. Work with high school journalists and advisors on substance abuse and related problems. High school newspapers reported on issues from inhalant abuse, club drugs and safe and sober graduation.

Communities Against Substance Abuse served as chief prevention consultant to United States Congressmen Brian Bilbray who orchestrated two congressional hearings in San Diego during spring 2000. The hearing was titled, "Responding to the Drug Crisis in Southern California." Communities Against Substance Abuse authored testimony and provided witnesses for the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime Oversight. That hearing was titled, "The Threat to Communities from the Production, Trafficking and Use of Methamphetamine."

Communities Against Substance Abuse, working with the County of San Diego District Attorney's Office, waged an aggressive media campaign to increase funding for California's Drug Endangered Children Program that removes children living in illicit drug-exposed environments. The media campaign created favorable public opinion that encouraged California State Legislators to approve increased funding for DEC by as much as $10 million for 2001.

Communities Against Substance Abuse has developed more than 40 TV, radio and print media partners and is instrumental in the broadcast and publication of nearly $1 million worth of pro-bono media messages in the San Diego market each year.

Through media advocacy strategies, Communities Against Substance Abuse successfully advocates alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention issues and advances policy goals.

Communities Against Substance Abuse works successfully with businesses to establish drug-free workplace policies.