Check out this great video produced by CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America):

http://mctft.org/training/understanding-your-influence/

During the hour-long broadcast Understanding Your Influence, learn how to find your inner advocate and how coalitions can use the power they have to create positive change in their communities. Find out what coalitions can and can’t do as far as advocacy and lobbying are concerned. See how changes to laws and policies can improve enforcement, reduce access and availability of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and increase social disapproval of drug use.

We’ll visit the Rio Grande Safe Communities Coalition in El Paso, TX and find out how it used its influence to pass an ordinance to help control drug use and the violence associated with it.

Key Concepts:

  • Understand the difference between lobbying and advocating
  • Learn what coalitions can and can’t do with their funds
  • See how statewide and local coalitions change laws and policies
  • Gain new insight and communications tools to be an effective advocate