Coalitions in America have become a foundation of community organizing for anti-drug and related campaigns to address social challenges. In South Florida we have the recognition of being the first community, or at the very least among the first communities, that started the anti-drug coalition movement in America and exported it to a national level through contributions to the birth of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). Numerous coalitions have been developed and are still being created at the local level across the country and in South Florida neighborhoods. Each of these emerging coalitions can benefit from exposure to the lessons learned over the past 21 years including: The best strategies to incorporate in their development and community involvement, the most effective ways to select priorities to address the pressing issues in their respective communities, determining the baseline of their community challenges, and the measurement of the outcomes of their anti-drug efforts.

In Miami-Dade County there are approximately ten community coalitions and similar partnerships that address to a varying degree the issues of drugs, crime and violence. These organizations range in history and size from small and just beginning organizations to the largest, The Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free Community, Inc., was established over eighteen years ago. It is time to establish a formal network of community coalitions, a structured mentoring program for new and emerging organizations, a collective planning effort, and a web-based, regional communication and information sharing capability.