Two TADAA members had the opportunity to attend the 2024 CADCA Mid-Year conference in Chicago, Il. They attended the Key Essentials youth track during the conference. The Key Essentials track provides youth with the tools that they need to assist in solving their communities’ problems around substance misuse, vaping, underage drinking, prescription drugs, and other social ills using the Strategic Prevention Framework. Youth had the opportunity to work with teens from around the country. They got to know other youth and make connections through team building activities and interactive activities throughout the 4 days of the conference. They all had opportunities to discuss current local problems and positive activities that they have used in their own schools and communities. They learned foundational skills that can be used in their own communities to address substance misuse and promote prevention. Youth were also given the opportunity to work on a community specific mapping activity that they then shared with the larger group. This activity gave them the opportunity to share about where they are from, the risk and protective factors that are in their communities, the work that they have done up until now and what they would like to address in the future. This conference provides an invaluable opportunity for youth connection, learning opportunities, confidence in their own prevention efforts and motivation to continue these efforts within their own schools and communities.
CADCA Mid-Year 2024
