Announcements

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Tribal leaders, you're invited to attend the HYS registration informational meeting!

Dear Tribal Leaders,

I am sharing the attached Dear Tribal Leader Letter with you regarding the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) and an opportunity to attend a tribal-specific informational meeting on April 25, about the survey and tribal school and youth participation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the principal investigator for the Healthy Youth Survey, Maayan Simckes, at Healthy.Youth@doh.wa.gov.

Do you have plans to participate in National Drug Take Back Day?

National Drug Take Back Day is coming up on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Local communities across the state and nation will be partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) to host awareness events to educate the public on safe medication return and provide an opportunity for community members to dispose of leftover or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs freely, safely, and conveniently. In addition, vape pens and other e-cigarette devices with batteries removed can be… read more

SAMHSA Communities Talk Town Hall Opportunity

The 2023 SAMHSA Communities Talk stipend is available.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is sponsoring stipends for the next round of Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse, an initiative that focuses on alcohol and other drug misuse that negatively affect communities and our youth. Since 2006, the initiative has provided prevention resources and stipends to thousands of community-based organizations, colleges, and universities… read more

CADCA's 2023 Blue Ribbon applications now open!

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA) 2023 Blue Ribbon application process (formerly Got Outcomes! Awards) nationally recognizes coalitions that create positive, long-lasting changes in their communities by implementing a comprehensive and feasible plan guided by local data. Coalitions will have an opportunity to receive the prestigious Blue Ribbon Awards in the following categories: Coalition in Focus, Coalition of Excellence or Coalition of the Year.

This is also the… read more

Helping Youth Live an Active, Healthy & Drug-Free Lifestyle: Free Webinar

Session Objectives:

Identify the physical and mental health risks associated with youth substance use. Explore the physical and mental health risks associated with other youth health behaviors. Examine the mental, physical and social benefits of the Big 3 + 1 healthy lifestyle behaviors. Review healthy behavior guidelines and 4 steps for achieving a more active, healthy and drug-free wellness lifestyle.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/… read more

Community Based Prevention Capacity Building Grants Available

[This post was updated on April 18 & 24, 2023]

The Washington State Department of Health is excited to release the Request For Funding Application: Community Based Prevention Capacity Building Grant.

The following documents are required to review thoroughly for a successful application submission:

Community Grant RFA This document has the all the information regarding the Community Based Prevention Capacity Building Grant. The following is covered in the RFA:… read more

Save the date for the Native American SAPST!

The Native American Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) is an innovative training that is grounded in current research and SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). Tribally based cultural knowledge is blended into the Native American SAPST that provides foundational knowledge and skills necessary to implement effective, data-driven prevention interventions that improve substance-related outcomes, reduce behavioral health disparities, and improve wellness. This… read more

Xylazine alert!

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is alerting providers and grantees about the risks of xylazine.

Xylazine, also known as "tranq," is a non-opiate sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant that is increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply, often in combination with opioids like fentanyl. Xylazine can cause circulatory changes that lead to painful lesions, necrosis, and even limb loss.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has… read more

Alcohol Awareness Month resources

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This observance is intended to increase public awareness about the use of alcohol and its impacts on individuals, families, business, and communities.

Throughout April, tribes, community coalitions, and organizations are encouraged to host events to increase awareness and educate people about alcohol use disorder prevention and treatment.

There are lots of resources available online to help you plan and host an alcohol awareness event,… read more

Request Naloxone for AI/AN communities

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) operates the Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) Program. The program offers free naloxone, overdose response training, and technical assistance to organizations interested in distributing naloxone to people at risk of opioid overdose.

The OEND program also provides free naloxone to tribes, tribal organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations, with the goal of increasing naloxone access for AI/AN communities in… read more