Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse

Communities can move mountains when they talk, share, and take action to prevent alcohol and other drug misuse. Each year, community-based organizations of all kinds—including local chapters of national organizations, community and youth-led coalitions, colleges, and universities nationwide—hold creative events and activities that mobilize their communities to both learn about substance use and put prevention strategies in place.

Since 2006, thousands of these activities have been held across the country, supported by SAMHSA planning stipends that can go a long way in making the activities more strategic, collaborative, well-attended, and action oriented. Youth-led events are among the most impactful of these activities and are encouraged.

In addition to the planning stipends, SAMHSA provides tools and resources to help organizers design, promote, conduct, and evaluate their activities.

All 2026 planning stipends have been distributed and are no longer available. We still encourage you to plan and host Communities Talk prevention activities in your community — throughout the year (and during Prevention Month and National Prevention Week).

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Please note: Recipient acknowledges that SAMHSA funding recipients must not spend SAMHSA funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities. Recipient certifies that funds will not be spent on DEI activities.