2010 Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Awards

Awardees Press Release

State Prevention Summit Imagines the Possibilities

October 14-16

 

Yakima - Hundreds of prevention and treatment professionals, educators, youth, and volunteers from around the state who are working to prevent substance abuse, violence and other destructive behaviors will gather at the Washington State Prevention Summit opening Thursday, Oct. 14, in Yakima.

The Summit’s theme is iPrevention: Imagining the Possibilities. The conference addresses current challenges and provides compelling strategies to successfully move forward. Participants will learn how to create long-term, healthy changes in their families and communities by understanding the effects of unhealthy behaviors and learning how to provide culturally appropriate programs.

”Through learning about what works in prevention, and collaborating on effective programs and projects, we can make a greater impact in keeping youth and families healthy and safe,” said David Dickinson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery in the Department of Social and Health Services. “In a time of declining resources, the Prevention Summit helps us find more ways to leverage our assets to address the needs of our communities.”

The Summit begins Thursday evening with a presentation by Julie Marie Carrier, an award-winning national speaker on youth development and author of Be you tiful - Success Principles for Teens. Julie is also a teen success coach for MTV’s MADE -- positive goal setting show for teens, and has been featured on NBC’s Today Show.

Friday’s opening keynote speaker for adults, Fran Harding, director of the federal Center for Mental Health Services, will describe how the National Health Care Policy will impact the prevention field and how we can prepare our state for the future.

Lt. Governor Brad Owen will present Exemplary Prevention Awards at noon on Friday, honoring the following people and programs:

• Prevention Youth Project: Washington Drug Free Youth Project, Spokane
• Prevention Collaboration: Carol Hawk, Sedro Woolley
• Prevention Youth Leadership: Kent Police Youth Board, Kent
• Prevention Volunteer: S. Mitchell, Spokane Valley
• Prevention Youth Volunteer: White Swan Dream Makers, White Swan
• Lifetime Achievement: Gene Uno, Tacoma
• Lifetime Achievement: Julie Grevstad, Tacoma

Youth attending the Summit will learn leadership skills, how to advocate for prevention, and project management. Youth will also be working at several community service projects in Yakima neighborhoods. At 1:45 p.m. on Friday, youth will participate in a publicity event outside the Convention Center to raise awareness of Washington’s new rules to reduce youth exposure to outdoor alcohol advertising, and the legal penalties for adults who provide alcohol to minors.

The conference ends Saturday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. The summit is open to the public. To register and get additional information, visit www.preventionsummit.org. Attendees may also register at the event.

Additional Background:

The prevention community in Washington state has been convening annually since the 1980s. It is the only time the statewide prevention community comes together to share successes, learn new strategies, and network with a variety of people–including parents, children, teachers, law enforcement officials, prevention professionals, treatment providers, policy makers, college faculty, students and dedicated volunteers who are all interested in preventing substance abuse, violence and other destructive behaviors.

For more information about Washington’s new outdoor alcohol advertising rules, visit www.LetsDrawTheLine.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Michael Langer, Prevention Supervisor, DBHR, ADSA, DSHS, 360-725-3740

Deb Schnellman, Communications, DBHR, ADSA, DSHS, 360-725-3763/701-5480

 

---

 

Do you know of a superb youth leader or an outstanding substance abuse prevention advocate? Do you know of a business or media outlet that has promoted positive youth messaging? Please help us in recognizing these and other exceptional individuals, programs, coalitions, organizations, and youth by nominating them for an Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Award.

The deadline has expired to nominate professionals.  Thank you for your interest.

• 2010 Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Awards Nomination Packet Announcement [pdf]
• 2010 Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Awards Nomination Packet [Word]

The deadline to submit completed nomination application packets was August 3, 2010 at 5:00 PM Pacific.

For questions about awards, please contact:

Julia Greeson, CPP
Region 1 Prevention Manager
DSHS, DBHR [formerly DASA]
Office: 509.329.5813 Fax: 509.329.3728 Email: julia.greeson@dshs.wa.gov