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Success Stories

Success stories demonstrate the many creative ways that event hosts are engaging their communities in alcohol and other drug misuse prevention and highlight key outcomes that help create lasting impacts on communities.

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Communities Talk 2021 Highlights:

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0% of organizers surveyed reported that they felt Communities Talk is advancing prevention in their communities.
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0% of organizers surveyed reported 50 or more in-person attendees at their most recent in-person Communities Talk activity.
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0% of stipend recipients covered mental health and/or e-cigarettes/vaping issues in addition to underage drinking at their Communities Talk activity.
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Success Comes in Many Forms

SAMHSA encourages its event organizers to customize their prevention events to meet the unique needs of their communities. Explore the Success Stories to learn how Communities Talk activities are working across the country and see how other communities are measuring their success.

See All Success Stories

Communities Talk 2021 Highlights:

strategy icon
0% of organizers surveyed reported that they felt Communities Talk is advancing prevention in their communities.
handshake icon
0% of organizers surveyed reported 50 or more in-person attendees at their most recent in-person Communities Talk activity.
brain icon
0% of stipend recipients covered mental health and/or e-cigarettes/vaping issues in addition to underage drinking at their Communities Talk activity.

Featured Success Stories

NEW! Pilot Podcast Series: Communities Talk about Prevention

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Tune into SAMHSA’s new pilot podcast series to learn how community-based organizations are making substance use prevention a reality in their own communities! In each episode of Communities Talk About Prevention, you'll learn how organizations have coordinated local events and activities to support substance use prevention; how they have overcome unique challenges; and how they have measured success. Most importantly, guests will share best practices, which we hope will inspire you to participate in prevention in your own community.


Hope and Beyond Mental Health Matters

10/11/2021
Tigard, OR

Hosted by: Tigard Turns the Tide Coalition

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Middle and high school students addresses underage drinking and mental health during various prevention activities and the development of prevention resources.  The Communities Talk activities created an ongoing conversation with students, parents, and community partners concerning the health and well-being of students and their needs. Activities also led to an increase in student involvement in their 2022 prevention efforts. 


Drug Free Looks Like Me

10/23/2021
Cassville, GA

Hosted by: The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Inc.

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For the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Red Ribbon Week, The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Inc. developed video skits about the dangers of underage drinking and drug use.


Underage Drinking in Cabarrus County Mental Health Task Force

08/02/2021
Concord, NC

Hosted by: Amazing Grace Advocacy

Amazing Grace Advocacy collaborated with the Cabarrus County Mental Health Task Force to host a discussion on underage drinking, with the goal to develop stronger programs to address and treat alcohol misuse in the community.


In 2021

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91% of organizers surveyed reported that they felt Communities Talk is advancing prevention in their communities.
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60% of organizers surveyed reported 50 or more in-person attendees at their most recent in-person Communities Talk activity.
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54% of stipend recipients covered mental health and/or e-cigarettes/vaping issues in addition to underage drinking at their Communities Talk activity.


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