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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.


NEOBHC Teen Truth

04/02/2024
Cleveland, OH

Hosted by: Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition

The Communities Talk activity, hosted by the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, was an educational session to share knowledge and empower youth to advocate for themselves and learn about the impact of underage drinking and substance use and misuse. Our work was to create a positive change in our communities.


Smash the Bottle

07/04/2024
West Chester, PA
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This Communities Talk activity was a project hosted by the West Chester Communities that Care organization to help youth in the West Chester area create a public health campaign on alcohol prevention. The campaign was shared via Instagram and received over 12,000 views.


It’s Time We Talk, Connecting our community through mental health conversations

05/03/2023
Barrington, RI

Hosted by: Barrington Prevention Coalition

The Barrington Adult Youth (BAY) team held a mental health and wellness fair at our local library. BAY is a part of the Barrington Prevention Coalition, a community-based organization with a mission to promote a safe and healthy community, educate about mental health through communication and collaboration, and prevent alcohol misuse and substance use.


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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