Announcements

Watch this page for announcements from other Athena Forum users.

Now available: New Focus On Instagram and Start Talking Now social

Check out our newly-launched Focus On Instagram page and the Start Talking Now Facebook page, and give us a follow or like to stay in the loop with the latest prevention social! The Focus On toolkit (password: FocusOnYou) and Start Talking Now toolkit (password: StartTheConversation) will also be updated regularly with new monthly social content, with Start Talking Now assets available in English and Spanish.

In September 2020, HCA launched the statewide Focus On campaign to prevent… read more

FDA Sends Menthol & Flavored Cigars to White House Budget Office for Final Review

The following is excerpted from the CNN.com and other sources:

The US Food and Drug Administration took a “momentous” step Monday toward banning menthol in cigarettes and banning flavored cigars, proposing a rule that public health experts say could save hundreds of thousands of lives.

The FDA has been talking about banning menthol and flavored cigars for years and has said the issue is important for the agency.

In April of 2022, it announced it would move ahead with… read more

Introduction to Prevention Plus Wellness Programs & Professional Training: Free Webinar

Session Objectives:

List the one- and multi-session youth, adult and parent programs, media campaigns, professional training and licensing opportunities offered by Prevention Plus Wellness (PPW). Review the benefits of PPW programs and training over other prevention strategies. Describe how PPW programs are implemented.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vrdjeUSsQmifqg0v6WWmOg

Length: 30 minutes

Date: Thursday October 19th… read more

Get ready for Red Ribbon Week!

National Red Ribbon Week takes place annually, October 23-31, and is the largest and longest running drug-use prevention campaign in the United States. It is an opportunity to encourage communities to educate local youth and to participate in drug prevention activities. The first National Red Ribbon Celebration was held in 1988, and sponsored by the National Family Partnership, formerly the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth. Learn more about the history of Red Ribbon Week… read more

Youth opioid misuse care interviews

The University of Washington is facilitating focus groups with parents, caregivers, and trusted adults of young people, ages 15-25, who received care for opioid misuse starting at least one year ago. The purpose of these focus groups is to understand participants' experiences with care and learn how the way we talk about these services with youth and their caregivers can be improved. Participants will be compensated and may participate in up to three focus groups in October and November 2023… read more

AI/AN prevention ethics training opportunity

"Ethics in prevention: A guide for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) substance use disorder prevention professionals and individuals working primarily with AI/AN communities" will be offered after the close of the 2023 Prevention Summit, on Thursday, October 26, at the Davenport Grand Hotel in Spokane, WA. The training will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This facilitated course will address the role and application of ethics in substance use disorder prevention. Using case… read more

988 promotional social marketing campaign research opportunity for CPWI communities

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is currently working on an upcoming 988 promotional social marketing campaign and would like to invite CPWI communities to be part of their research process. Social marketing campaigns are used in public health to affect positive change through social media platforms. The purpose of this social marketing campaign is to promote 988 resources in communities, statewide.

As many of you have worked in mental health promotion and/or suicide… read more

Prevention ethics training opportunity!

The Washington State Health Care Authority's Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is hosting a prevention ethics course on Thursday, October 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Davenport Grand Hotel, in Spokane, WA. Note, this training will take place the day after the close of the 2023 Prevention Summit.

If you are interested in attending, please view the attached flyer for more information. To register, please email Billy Reamer.

Friends for Life fentanyl education campaign launches youth materials

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is expanding on its statewide fentanyl education campaign, Friends for Life, with new materials and messaging designed to reach youth ages 12-18 and their parents/caregivers with primary prevention strategies.

Earlier this year, HCA launched the Friends for Life campaign to inform young adults about the risks of illicit fentanyl and the power of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses. Materials and resources from this phase of the… read more

Registration now open: 2023 Prevention Summit & annual provider meeting

The registration for the 2023 Prevention Summit & annual prevention provider meeting has launched!

What is the Prevention Summit?

The Prevention Summit is an enriching training and networking opportunity for youth, volunteers, and professionals engaged in health promotion and the prevention of substance misuse, violence, and other high-risk behaviors, in a setting that promotes cultural humility. The Summit provides high-quality workshops, forums, and hands-on learning… read more