Scott County, IN – Representatives from Scott County returned home from Washington, D.C., area where they were joined by 3,250 substance abuse prevention specialists and advocates from across the country for CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s) 30th Annual National Leadership Forum.
“We are reenergized with new strategies under our belt to tackle drug use in Scott County. It was exciting to spend several days with other similar organizations from across the country, learning and honing our prevention skills so our community can be a better place, one that doesn’t suffer from the harms of drug and alcohol abuse,” says Lori Croasdell, CEASe/DFC Coordinator.
Scott County’s EMPOWER Youth Coalition members attending the conference included Austin High School’s Luke Watts, as well as Scottsburg High School’s Becky Foster, Emily Foster, Kristen Skelton, and Logan Weilbaker.
The youth coalition leaders met with Indiana United States Congressmen at the Forum’s Capitol Hill Day event, including Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun and Representative Trey Hollingsworth. The youth informed their federal legislators on Scott County’s Drug Free Community initiatives and year 3 outcomes, as well as advocated on behalf of Scott County and Indiana’s 23 Drug Free Communities Coalitions.
Austin high school Senior Luke Watts shared, “My favorite part of the trip was getting the opportunity to advocate for Scott County and show that the youth are making a difference.” Scottsburg High School Junior Logan Weilbaker added, “My favorite part of the CADCA experience was getting to meet with our congressmen and advocate for our prevention efforts around the state. They were very interested in what we had to say, and it is great to think that we had a direct influence on the lawmaking in our country.”
Any Scott County teenager in 6th through 12th grade can join the EMPOWER Youth Coalition. They meet the third Monday of every month at 5:45 pm in Classroom B at the Lifelong Learning Center, 1092 W. Community Way, Scottsburg.
