Announcements

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced $40 million in funding opportunities for eight grant programs that will advance President Trump’s Great American Recovery Initiative by preventing addiction, strengthening the behavioral health workforce, and supporting efforts to address mental illness and prevent suicide.

The opportunities announced support communities… read more

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) wants to learn more about what the caregivers of teens and young adults need to support their young people’s health. We are inviting caregivers of teens and young adults across Washington to apply for the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Advisory Board (PCAB).

Who we’re seeking

Parents, guardians, and caregivers who live in Washington and support teens or young adults ages 11–24 who live… read more

Save the Date

Join an impactful gathering that spotlights and supports home visiting programs in Native communities to strengthen child and family health, nutrition, and well-being; revitalize culture and language; and help communities nurture the next generation.

Meeting registration is free and open to all! (Registration coming soon. Monitor the sponsor website for more information). 

What to Expect

·       Connection… read more

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:

Addresses cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) across the lifespan, including adolescence (ages 12 to 17), young adulthood (ages 18 to 25), middle… read more

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

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