Solve

Through Community Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions of America (CADCA), formulating plans and logical courses of action are an integral part of the support MASH gives to communities working to solve problems identified by the community.

Once an issue is identified, a logic plan that targets the primary problem is developed. The plan states the problem, asks why it is happening and why it is happening here and now. Using the individual elements that answer the ‘here’ and ‘now’ questions, strategies are chosen and put into effect.

CADCA has developed seven specific strategies that can be plugged into any action plan developed to address any issue. The strategies are:

1. Providing information: handing out literature, educational presentations, community meetings, forums, web-based communication, etc.

2. Enhancing skills: workshops, technical assistance, retreats, curricula development.

3. Providing support: proving alternative activities, mentoring, referrals, support groups, etc.

4. Enhancing access/ Reducing barriers: improving systems and processes to increase ease of accessibility to available resources.

5. Changing consequences (Incentives/Disencentives): increasing public recognition for deserved behavior, individual and business rewards, imposes taxes, citations, fines, revocations, loss of privileges.

6. Physical design: advocating for parks, landscaping, lighting, outlet density, encouraging vendors to modify displays, signage.

7. Modifying/changing policies: workplace initiatives, public policy actions such as community resolutions or ordinances, systems changes within government, communities and organizations.

Clearly, not all strategies are applicable to all problems; however, the depth and breadth of support available to community members working together to effect change in their environments can be very powerful. It all starts with you, in your neighborhood and in your community and local people solve local problems best!