In an effort to frame and respond to the problem of prescription drug abuse, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) brought together 15 anti-drug coalition leaders from across the country for a 3-hour focus group in December 2000. The group discussed prescription drug abuse in the members' communities and identified messages, methods, and materials for public education and training. Much of this paper is based on the focus group deliberations. Although there is no solid empirical data on the most commonly abused prescription drugs, estimates are that they are opioids, typically prescribed for pain relief; central nervous system depressants, usually prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders; and stimulants, which are prescribed to increase brain activity. Data from the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that the most dramatic increase in new users of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes occurs during the teen years of 12- to 17-years of age and the young adult years of 18- to 25-years of age. Similar to addressing alcohol and other drug problems, the community must take responsibility for detecting, interceding, and preventing prescription drug abuse. Community leaders, law enforcement officers, health care practitioners, and community coalitions all have critical roles to play. Overviews are provided of the roles of each of these players in preventing prescription drug abuse, and three coalition efforts are described.