Getting Started

Strategy Matters | 10 Rules for Influencing Policy

There's no question that alcohol and drug problems affect every community. Individuals like you, joining together with others who care, can make a real difference by volunteering some time and taking small actions. Your efforts can make significant changes that will benefit your entire community.

Here are some actions you can take to make a difference in your community.

Be Informed: To advocate for change, begin by learning about alcohol and drug related issues and laws. Visit "What others have done" to read about how others like you have made a difference in their community. You can use these stories to get tips, ideas, and inspiration for your own work.
Join a Local Coalition: Volunteer for a coalition and get involved in their efforts to reduce and prevent problems from alcohol and drugs. Coalitions always need fresh faces to help with their efforts. You can be part of developing a community-wide strategy that can result in community change. (Locate or start a community coalition in your area.)
Attend or Organize Outreach Events: Community events can raise awareness of alcohol and drug problems and get other local leaders involved in the issue. For instance, a well-timed event can draw the attention of politicians and other key decision-makers who are in a position to help. Individuals can be moved to change their habits or seek assistance as the result of a community outreach effort.
Write a Letter to the Editor or an Op-ed Piece: Many community leaders and politicians read the editorial pages to assess public opinion. Writing to your newspaper is an effective way to express your views on important issues.
Visit Your Legislator: Establish relationships with your legislators; they rely on people like you for policy suggestions, feedback, and information. Provide your legislative allies with background statistics and anecdotes that describe the alcohol and drug problems in your community. Learn more about how to influence policy.
Attend Public Hearings/Testify: Follow the progress of drug and alcohol legislation closely. When the legislation is being reviewed at committee or public hearings, be prepared to attend or give testimony.