Announcements

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

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

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

Safe Medication Return lets people appropriately dispose of unwanted household over the counter and prescription medications (including for pets). Secure storage and safe disposal of medication helps reduce overdoses, poisonings, and suicide attempts. Safely disposing of medication also keeps it out of our environment which helps protect our water and soil.

Washington’s two approved drug take-back program operators, MED-Project and Inmar, recently launched:

International Transgender Day of Visibility will be recognized on Friday, March 31, 2023. This observance celebrates the accomplishments of transgender ("trans") and gender non-conforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice.

Despite representing less than five percent of the U.S. population, trans people are targeted by discriminatory legislation that threatens their civil rights, including the ability to access healthcare… read more

Find What Moves You (FWMY) was developed by researchers at Washington State University to support mental, physical, and social well-being in middle school girls. FWMY is a movement-based activity program for youth ages 11-14-years old who identify with a girls' community, intended to help them appreciate, explore, and embody their truest selves. This program welcomes cisgender, transgender, and non-binary youth of all races, ethnicities, abilities, and body sizes. In FWMY, participants will… read more

Co-developed by the Washington State Health Care Authority and Washington State Department of Health with our communications partner, GMMB, the Not a Moment Wasted campaign encourages young adults to avoid using alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs by sharing practical skills to help prioritize wellness, manage emotions, find healthy ways to cope with… read more

The Health Equity Zones Initiative is launching its nomination process to select one rural and one urban zone! People across the state are invited to nominate their community to be selected as a health equity zone to focus on their area’s most pressing health issues. Each zone will receive $200,000 per year for two years to identify priorities and work on collaborative solutions to each area’s unique health concerns.

Although the Department of Health is providing technical assistance… read more