2025 was a busy year for us at COCA. See below for our top 10 highlights. Read our 2024-25 Annual Report to learn more about our projects, programs and finances.
In February, COCA’s Prevention Team was named the Showcase Winner of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ Impact Award, which “highlights substance use and problem gambling prevention teams, projects and accomplishments that have made a meaningful impact in their communities. Learn more.
COCA ran an 8-week multimedia campaign in May and June aimed at Narcan awareness and distribution. The campaign incorporated bold, simple messaging, “NARCAN Saves Lives,” in white lettering on a black background that appeared on 5 billboards, 2 bus shelters and 4 buses, as well as social media and digital advertising. A total of 1,689 Narcan kits were distributed during May and June, a combined result of the campaign and other distribution efforts.
The Council on Chemical Abuse prevention team celebrated National Prevention Week in May 2025 by recognizing Berks County professionals who are champions of substance use prevention in area schools and the community. Rather than invite award winners to a ceremony, COCA’s prevention staff went on “tour,” surprising recipients by delivering awards to eight different Berks County sites. Learn more.
The RISE Recovery Center hosts events, activities and support meetings for people in recovery, as well as professional trainings and Certified Recovery Specialist trainings. In 2025, RISE held Bingo nights, football parties, lunch & learns, and other gatherings that provided sober, fun activities for the recovery community.
In September, we celebrated Recovery Month with a full slate of events, including the annual Berks Recovery Walk, which has been a tradition for over 20 years in Reading. The one-mile walk ended at the RISE Center and was followed by a celebration that included speeches and a butterfly release. Learn more.
COCA’s Prevention team provides free programming to Berks County schools. Among the many activities they engaged in during fiscal year 2024-25, COCA brought Escape the Vape lessons to 2,272 Berks County students, Teens/Kids and Technology to 1,079 students, Too Good For Drugs to 1,885 students and summer Prevention Programs to 1,407 students. Learn more about our prevention programs.
For many years, COCA has hosted shows on WEEU & BCTV that inform Berks County residents about pertinent issues related to prevention, treatment and recovery of addiction in Berks County. This year’s topics dealt with Support for Women, Ethnic Trauma, Tobacco Cessation, the Warm Hand Off Program and much more. Learn more.
For the 2nd year, COCA joined with SOS Berks and the City of Reading to organize a Flag Raising Ceremony in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. The event was attended by about 40 people and included speeches by state, county and local officials who remembered those in our community lost to overdoses.
Our 2025 Annual Conference was held on November 17 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading with nearly 200 professionals in attendance. This year’s theme was Beyond Diagnosis: A Holistic Approach to Co-Occurring Disorders. Learn more
For Fiscal Year 2024-25, COCA staff participated in 33 health fairs and other community events, handing out information about recovery and treatment resources to thousands of Berks County residents.
Quit Kit Order FormRead More »
COCA Highlights from 2025Read More »
2024-2025 COCA Annual ReportRead More »
10 Tips to Quit Smoking or VapingRead More »
2025 COCA Annual Conference Examines Co-Occurring DisordersRead More »
