Five Sallisaw residents were in the nation’s capitol last week as part of a local coalition’s effort to curb substance abuse. The group attended Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Forum XIX along with 2,700 other prevention advocates from around the country.

The theme of the conference was “Stronger Partnerships for Healthier Communities.”

While in Washington, each member of the group studied different training techniques designed to equip the local coalition with a deeper knowledge base. 

Workshops attended by the members included building prevention capacity, working with medical professionals, youth demographics, using Internet-based strategies to reach youth, underage drinking and binge drinking, prescription drug misuse, and leadership. In addition, all the attendees received information on identifying and selecting evidence-based interventions from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

On the day the nation’s new economic stimulus package cleared the Senate, the coalition group met with staff in the offices of both U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla) and U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla), and with 2nd District Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla), to discuss the importance of community prevention efforts.

The group attended a congressional briefing with representatives from the Cherokee Nation, which administers the grant for community coalitions in 10 counties throughout Northeastern Oklahoma.

Shaloa Edwards, Sallisaw police chief, with the NOW Coalition is engaged in a number of prevention activities locally.  The coalition is currently focusing on underage drinking.

“A coalition is basically people coming together to work on problems, and this event created the opportunity for even more people to come together,” Edwards said.

“I think the training was well worth it, and to meet with the leadership of other coalitions,” Edwards said.

Sallisaw NOW is composed mostly of volunteers.  Anyone wishing to be involved can contact Sharon Day at 775-7787, extension 6141.