CADET
History
 | Established in 1991 as part of a State of Maine, Department of Education, “School-Community Team” training. |
| Began as a group of about a dozen Caribou citizens, most with roles in the Caribou School Department, but included other community representatives as well. All shared the concern to prevent or reduce substance abuse, particularly by youth. |
| Linked closely to the Caribou School Department, the team contributed directly to establishing and updating a school-based policy for students involved with alcohol or other drug abuse. Awareness and prevention programs were organized and sponsored in schools at various grade levels. |
| In 1995 the team began to “re-vision” itself, attempting broader community collaboration and affirming locally the growing national awareness that substance abuse prevention is hindered by focusing efforts exclusively at youth. Broader community representation was sought and built. Ties to the Caribou School Department were affirmed while a vehicle for wider identification with the entire Caribou area community was sought. |
| On March 9, 1998 the Caribou City Council adopted an ordinance making CADET an official agency of the City of Caribou. CADET is entirely responsible for funding its programs and operational overhead. |
| In 2000 CADET became affiliated with Communities for Children. |
| In 2001CADET utilized the Communities for Children process to assess our community, established goals and developed an action plan. |
