GameChanger Receives National Award

WVU President Michael Benson Gives Keynote Address at National Awards Dinner

OXON HILL, Md. (October 8, 2026) — The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) has awarded its highest honor, the General Arthur T. Dean Humanitarian Award, to GameChanger at CADCA’s Drug-Free Kids Campaign National Awards Dinner, held Thursday evening at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

The award recognizes national leadership and an exceptional commitment to substance misuse prevention. Recipients are selected for their significant contributions to the prevention movement and their dedication to protecting the health, safety, and future of young people across the nation.

“When we look at the work that GameChanger is doing to mobilize young people, it is clear why they were chosen for our highest honor,” said General Barrye L. Price, President and CEO of CADCA, which represents a global network of community coalitions dedicated to preventing substance misuse.

“From their peer leadership programs to the development of GameChanger University, Joe Boczek and his team are demonstrating what prevention can accomplish, and we are proud to stand alongside them in this mission.”

West Virginia University President, Michael Benson, delivered the Keynote Address and lauded both CADCA and GameChanger for their tremendous work in Prevention Education.

GameChanger Founder and Executive Director Joe Boczek said the award represents not only a significant milestone for the organization, but also a testament to the GameChanger team of PhDs, prevention specialists, educators, and professionals who have worked tirelessly to bring the highest-quality evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention programs to children and youth throughout West Virginia.

“This award belongs to every member of our great team. Without them, there is no way GameChanger would even exist. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to every one of them for the perseverance they have demonstrated and, most importantly, for the hard work they have put in to make GameChanger what it is today.”

GameChanger was unanimously selected for the honor in recognition of its impactful, youth-led prevention work, particularly throughout West Virginia. Through programs such as the GameChanger Elementary Program and GameChanger Peer Leader Program, the organization has developed a youth-powered prevention model designed to empower students and reshape how schools and communities address substance misuse.

One of GameChanger’s most ambitious initiatives is GameChanger University, a cutting-edge online prevention education platform in which the organization has invested more than $1 million in development. In collaboration with West Virginia University and Marshall University, GameChanger University will provide age-appropriate, evidence-based prevention education for students in grades K-12, with built-in flexibility to address the nation’s continually evolving substance misuse and drug threats.

“While we are undoubtedly humbled and deeply grateful to be the recipient of such a prestigious award from an organization as highly respected in the prevention field as CADCA, we will not rest on these laurels,” Boczek said. “Instead, we will use this recognition as an impetus and inspiration to continue the hard work necessary to protect our children, strengthen our communities, and save the lives of our nation’s youth.”

GameChanger is a student-powered substance misuse prevention movement committed to building supportive school environments, reducing substance use, and empowering young people to make healthy, informed choices as they prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow.