Mission Statement

The mission of Council on Substance Abuse - NCADD (COSA-NCADD) is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of the disease of alcoholism, other drug addiction diseases, and related problems. The COSA-NCADD is a private non-profit organization founded in 1973 to promote the understanding that alcoholism and other drug dependence are preventable and treatable diseases. As the state affiliate of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, COSA-NCADD's advocacy for individuals and families affected by alcohol and other drugs is guided by the fact that this disease has devastating consequences to families and the general public and the best way to combat it is through comprehensive and coordinated health strategies. COSA-NCADD is committed to reducing the use of drugs and substance abuse among youth through the process of awareness, education, and action. As a result, COSA-NCADD has used a culturally- diversified approach through comprehensive, long- term programs focusing on the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. COSA-NCADD is the state association for the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA).

In pursuit of the mission, COSA-NCADD seeks to:

  •  Prevent the disease of alcoholism, other drug addiction diseases, and related problems.
  •  Educate the public about alcoholism, other drug addictions, and related problems.
  •  Encourage proper diagnosis, treatment, and continuum of care for individuals and families with alcoholism, other drug addictions, and related problems.

To achieve its mission, COSA-NCADD:

  • Provides leadership in the formulation of public policy issues.
  • Gathers and disseminates valid public educational information about use of alcohol and other drugs, alcoholism, other drug addictions, and related problems.
  • Recruits and organizes a constituency to support these efforts.
  • Gives special emphasis to improving the awareness and understanding of leaders, educators, health professionals, and the media about the disease of alcoholism and other drug addiction diseases, their medical complications, and their related social and economic problems.

COSA-NCADD carries out its mission by direct action of the Council's staff, board of directors, Coalition members and volunteers. COSA-NCADD works cooperatively with a wide variety of groups and individuals to address concerns about alcoholism, other drug addictions, and related problems.