Opioid Response Network to host Foundations in Substance Misuse Prevention Training Series

We're pleased to announce the upcoming Foundations in Substance Misuse Prevention Training Series, brought to you by the Opioid Response Network and the West Spokane Wellness Partnership. 

The training series features the following events:

Unlock the Power of Protective Factors with the Social Development Strategy

• February 25, 2026, 2-3:30 pm PT
• To prevent substance misuse among our youth, we must enhance protective factors and reduce risk factors. Join this training to learn how to build protective factors in the youth in a straight-forward, easy to implement way using the Social Development Strategy.

Reducing Risk Factors for Youth Substance Misuse on the Road to Prevention Success

• March 25, 2026 , 2-3:30 pm PT
• During this training, we will explore the science-based risk factors that place youth at greater risk of substance misuse. Time will be spent exploring each risk factor to ensure understanding the meaning of each factor in order to address them effectively.

Uncovering What Does NOT Work in Substance Misuse Prevention

• April 22, 2026, 2-3:30 pm PT
• In the world of substance misuse prevention, we often hear about what does work— research-backed strategies that make a real impact. But what about the methods that don't work? Surprisingly, many communities continue to use outdated, ineffective, or even harmful prevention practices despite decades of research showing they fail to deliver. This training will explore the common yet misguided approaches still in use, shedding light on why they don’t work and the unintended consequences they can create.

Selecting Effective, Evidence-based Strategies for Substance Misuse Prevention

• May 27, 2026, 2-3:30 pm PT
• Every community is unique, and so are its substance misuse prevention needs. But how do you identify which substance misuse prevention programs, practices, and strategies that will work for your community? This interactive workshop will equip you with practical skills to identify, evaluate, and select evidence-based substance misuse prevention interventions that align with your specific community context.

These events are also featured on the Athena Forum calendar for convenience. We hope to see you there! 

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI085588 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.