Announcements

A group of Centralia Middle School students is concerned about how ever-present advertising for tobacco and alcohol products might affect them and their peers. Ten students from the Centralia Middle School Prevention Club visited the Centralia City Council Tuesday to discuss the impacts of advertising for nicotine products and other addictive or harmful substances.

The presentation from the students amounted to a call to action for the five present Centralia city councilors to help… read more

SAMHSA has issued a new advisory: Addressing Cannabis Use Disorder in Primary Care Settings—A Lifespan Approach.

This  Advisory is intended for healthcare providers, including pediatricians, adolescent medicine specialists, primary care providers, and geriatricians.

Highlights of the Advisory:

Sedative drugs - especially alcohol — cause more overall harm than trendier drugs because they are common, accepted, and easy for young people to access. But they tend to take a backseat to newer, headline‑grabbing drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine.

To update the prevention field on sedative drugs (including alcohol), the Washington Association for Substance Misuse and Violence Prevention (WASAVP) is offering a training on June 4, 2026, from 1–3 PM: “What Preventionists Need to… read more

The Northwest PTTC conducts an annual assessment of the training and technical assistance needs of the prevention workforce. Click on the button below to read the results of the 2025 Needs Assessment, based on qualitative listening sessions with leaders and practitioners in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Download the report to view assessment results.

CADCA is proud to welcome the newest members of the National Youth Council (NYC), a select group of young leaders ages 15-18 who are shaping the future of substance misuse prevention. The Athena Team applauds two Washington youth for their leadership and volunteerism on this committee. 

These emerging leaders were selected for their demonstrated commitment to prevention work and their leadership in their schools and communities. Between February 2026 and July 2027, they will… read more

Washington Poison Center has identified a concerning and sustained increase in overdoses among youth involving diphenhydramine, a common over-the-counter medication (brand name BenadrylTM). This trend is linked to both intentional self-harm and substance misuse. Coordinated action across healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations is essential to reduce harm and prevent further increases.

Diphenhydramine is found in many over-the-counter sleep aids, cough and cold… read more

The National Indian Health Board is seeking to collect information to better understand existing educational pathways, internships, fellowships, and career opportunities in Tribal public health, including areas such as research, education, leadership, and policy. The Tribal Public Health Career Pathways Survey is announced to support workforce development. 

The information collected through the survey will help Tribes, Tribal organizations, and individuals access… read more

A recording of the Kids' Mental Health Pierce County webinar, "Supporting Youth and Families in Grief," is now available. 

The challenges of grief can be profound, affecting children and teens throughout their development. This webinar will help participants deepen their understanding of key factors in supporting children and families impacted by loss. Because children grieve within the context of their family system, participants will learn practical tools to strengthen and… read more

Your complete SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit is here.

Mental Health Awareness Month 2026 launches May 1. The theme this year is: See the Person. Support the Journey. Throughout May, SAMHSA will share resources you need to show up for this month, in your channels, your conversations, and your communities.

What's inside the toolkit:

Overdose Awareness Series

Bridging public health, healthcare, and community response. 

The Washington Poison Center is seeking speaker proposals to lead sessions during the 7th annual Overdose Awareness Series, taking place every Tuesday in August: August 4, 11, 18, 25. 

Session formats include presentations, workshops, panel discussions, or any other format you would like to propose. The following are… read more