Council on Drug Abuse

In 1969, when the Council on Drug Abuse (CODA) was founded, the prevailing view was that with a proactive approach, the disturbing trend toward drug abuse, especially among youth, could be halted if not eradicated; little did the founding members realize that drug abuse would become a worldwide epidemic that would escalate annually as the population aged and younger users entered the arena. In late 2008, the CODA team of experts, educators, administrators and youth led a complete programs examination. The process began with a needs assessment and literature review and culminated in a very significant strategic planning workshop attended by over 100 youth, funders, peer groups and advisors. From that planning workshop, a new, leading-edge program model emerged. The ‘new’ In-Class Education curriculum and program model was dynamic and comprehensive; it now focused on students in grade 7, 8 & 9. To ensure the relevancy/sustainability of the program model, a comprehensive program support system was established that included (1) CODA Certified Education (CCE) for health promotion intermediaries, (2) Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for students in grades 9-12 and (3) a program evaluation model that would provide concrete indicators of success. The time has come to move CODA programming to the next level of expertise and develop ‘specialty’ education modules. The first ‘specialty’ focus will be on the aboriginal community.