In the spring of 2002, concerned staff of Palo Alto Unified School District, and representatives from the Palo Alto Police Department, City of Palo Alto, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Adolescent Counseling Services, Palo Alto Council of PTAs, many parents and other citizens formed a collaborative to reduce alcohol and drug use among Palo Alto’s youth.

Since that time, the Palo Alto Drug and Alcohol Community Collaborative (PADACC) has met monthly and engaged actively in the community to raise awareness of substance abuse issues and implement environmental strategies aimed at reducing underage substance use and abuse.