Change begins at the community level, with people just like you. Getting involved in drug and alcohol issues gives you the power to play a valuable role in the lives of others. You can take action in a way that works for you and improves the health of your fellow community members.

Action Steps

• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper on an issue you feel is important.
  
  
• Host a house party to increase awareness in your neighborhood.
  
  
• Contact your local officials urging them to support policies that improve alcohol and drug treatment and prevention programs.
  
  
• Join a local coalition that has a community-wide strategy to identify problems and solutions related to drug and alcohol use in your community.
  
  
• Donate some of your time and professional expertise to help a local coalition or task force accomplish a goal. For example, if you work in a public relations firm, donate some time to help develop an effective advertising campaign.
  
  
• Organize a policy panel of local leaders that will hear testimony and make specific recommendations on what the community should do to reduce problem alcohol and drug use.
  
  
• Collect local data and produce a community report that tells your community how it measures up on drug and alcohol issues.
  
  
• Get involved in local government, run for selectmen or city council and advocate for quality addiction treatment.

Resources

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is a membership organization of over 5000 anti-drug coalitions, each working to make their community safe, healthy, and drug-free.

Drug Free Communities Support Program The two major goals of the Drug Free Communities Support Program are to reduce substance abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, and drugs among youth and to strengthen collaboration among various sectors in the community.

Safe and Drug Free School

Find a community coalition in your area

How do we know we are making a difference? A community alcohol, tobacco, and drug indicators handbook.

What others have done

Gretchen Burns Bergman recently received the Community Service Award from the California Society of Addiction Medicine.

The award was presented to Ms. Bergman in recognition of her efforts to put a human face on the problem of addiction, and in appreciation of her work to reduce the stigma and discrimination of substance use in order to increase treatment opportunities. Gretchen Burns Bergman is also the state chairwoman for California's Proposition 36, which diverts nonviolent drug offenders into treatment rather than prison.

She headed up other projects which included building a Self-Reflection Garden at Donovan State Prison for inmates who need treatment and rehabilitation for substance use disorders, a Faces of Recovery calendar, a resource and referral line, joint events with National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the Mental Health Association, and a Parent Survival Kit.