About CARSA

CARSA's Mission:

“To build and mobilize a comprehensive, communitywide social movement to substantially reduce substance abuse from the Greater Portland Metropolitan area.”

Our Focus:

Our focus is to change public opinion and attitudes so that the abuse of drugs and alcohol is not acceptable in the Portland area.

Our Vision:

• We strive to eliminate the devastating impact of substance abuse through an inclusive community-wide coalition of leaders in the business community, service providers, foundations, media, justice system and neighborhood groups.

• We strive to change our community attitudes and its tolerance of substance abuse through organized neighborhood based coalitions and advocacy thereby acknowledging that abuse of alcohol and other drugs contributes to a major social problem in our community, and will not be tolerated.

• We strive to increase community awareness of the need to reduce substance abuse through media, print and community forums.

• We strive to have our community, including Portland Business Alliance, service organizations, businesses, institutions, faith based organizations, and agencies assisting youth with various needs, support the call to “eliminate substance abuse from the Portland area.”

Our Values:

• Working through a coalition with those who share our mission as the most effective means of achieving our shared vision;

• Advocating and providing public education as two critical and effective tools to bring about changes in personal opinions and attitudes;

• Maintaining the strength of our advocacy efforts without providing direct services;

• Creating a structure that provides for long-term sustainability necessary to make our vision a reality in the Portland Metropolitain area