A new tool is available to combat an old enemy.

Community coalitions have proven highly successful against substance abuse, advocates say, and the Cherokee Nation has been awarded an $11 million federal grant to build such coalitions.

Sam Bradshaw, a prevention specialist for Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Services, said successful coalitions are being funded and directed nationwide by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“We have been granted 11 million dollars over five years to reduce substance abuse and its consequences in 14 counties of the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction,” he said. “Most of Muskogee is not in the nation, but that boundary does not exist when this program comes into effect.”

Bradshaw is working with Lisa Raasch of the Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center and other leaders to organize a local community coalition.

“The approach SAMHSA has developed involves evidence-based prevention strategies,” he said. “Coalitions are really community collaboration, and I really believe Muskogee has the right people at the table.”

However, Bradshaw added that more people and groups need to get involved for the Muskogee Community Anti-Drug Coalition to achieve its potential. Much of the strategy of CANs in other states has depended on how leaders look at the substance abuse problem.

“We’re using more of a public health model,” he said. “So, we’re responding in much same way as if there was an outbreak of West Nile Virus.”

Bradshaw gave a presentation Wednesday to representatives of several community groups at the Muskogee Department of Human Services. He listed some of the factors that have brought success to other coalitions.

“Experience and training, involving the right sectors of the community, involving people with experience in substance abuse, setting aside personal and agency agendas to focus on a common goal, and a willingness to work together,” he said.

Raasch said she is glad the nation decided to include Muskogee among the 10 communities where coalitions are planned.

“We’ll start with an assessment phase,” she said. “We’ll identify what substance are most frequently being abused, then we’ll look at consequences ranging anywhere from traffic accidents to domestic violence.”

Raasch emphasized the need for more community involvement for the Muskogee CAN to be successful, saying at least 12 sectors of the community must become active. She listed some examples:

• Young people.

• Parents.