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.

SAMHSA has launched the 2026 Communities Talk cycle.

• If you participated in 2025, you’ve automatically been invited to participate this year.
• If you haven’t received your invitation (or are a new organization wanting to participate), please email info@communities-talk.com.

Planning stipends are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Act quickly to join this national effort to prevent substance use in your community.

Follow #CommunitiesTalk for the latest news.

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.