Help us in our efforts to get an alcohol tax increase to support our system of care. Download the Alcohol Tax petition here and help us to get signatures. Thank you! The next VDAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,  January 25th from 12:30-2:00 in  Vermont Friends of Recovery's conference room. 100 State St., Suite 352, Montpelier VT- call 1 (802) 229-6103 for more directions. This meeting's focus will be on planning the spring, 2012 event and looking at 2012 legislative priorities. If you are in Montpelier on the 25th please join us, but if you can't make it into town then, call in on the conference phone. The phone number is -1 (800) 747-5150 and the pin number is 2296103. Approximately 20 people attended the Advocacy 2012 training at the state house on October 26th sponsored by VDAC, Prevention Works and Friends of Recovery VT. They learned about strategies for getting messages heard in the legislature this year, what works and what doesn't from Floyd Nease. They also heard many successful advocacy stories  from our panel of experts: Cindy Hayford,  Deerfield Valley Community Partnership/Center of Health and Learning; Mark Helijas, Upper Valley Turning Point/ Second Wind Foundation; Senator Anthony Pollina, Washington County; and Amy Brewer, Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition. Patty McCarthy Metcalf  reminded participants about the importance and strength of one voice for Prevention, Intervention, Treatment, Enforcement and Recovery and encouraged people to join VDAC.   Did you know... For every $1 spent on substance abuse in Vermont, approximately 97 cents goes to public programs affected by substance abuse, such as corrections, whereas only 3 cents goes to prevention. (Blue Print for the States: Policies to improve the ways States Organize and Deliever Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Treatment; Join Together, 2006). The National Institute of Drug Abuse says that addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain—they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting, and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs. Collaboration means sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus. We as a coalition need your knowledge and direction. As we continue to discuss future goals and direction we need representation from all. Addiction is a very complex problem that affects all of us. Please come and be a part of the solution.