Statewide Prevention Programs

Alcohol & Drug Information Clearinghouse

DBHR contracts with the Washington State Alcohol & Drug Clearinghouse to help communities, schools, and individuals access free information about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Resources include videos, posters, brochures and research.  Website: http://clearinghouse.adhl.org

Reducing Underage Drinking (RUaD)

Underage drinking is our state's biggest drug problem.  Each year, alcohol kills more kids than tobacco and illicit drugs combined.  DBHR has secured grants from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention since 1998 to fund strategies to reduce underage drinking.  We and our state partners have formed the Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking to collaborate on statewide planning and actions.  Learn more about RUaD.    Facts About Underage Drinking in Washington.

SPF-SIG

The Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) is a 5-year research project designed to reduce underage drinking in 12 Washington communities.  Learn more about SPF-SIG.     SPF-SIG Brochure (pdf)

Public Education and Media

DBHR supports research-based communications strategies that raise awareness of the harmful consequences of substance abuse, and promote healthy attitudes and behaviors.  We provide information and education about substance abuse trends in Washington, how to prevent and reduce substance abuse, and how to access prevention and treatment resources.  For news releases and public education materials: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/dasa/services/media/mediaindex.shtml

DBHR operates Partnership for a Drug Free Washington – a state alliance program with the national Partnership for a Drug-Free America (www.drugfree.org), to provide effective and localized anti-drug advertising messages.  To request a copy of the messages for print, television or radio, and for assistance with placing media messages, contact Deb Schnellman, State Alliance Manager, at schneda@dshs.wa.gov.

For research and educational materials from the national anti-drug media campaign: www.mediacampaign.org

For health communications tips and guidelines: http://www3.doh.wa.gov/here/howto/HERE_ToolListing.aspx 

College/University Task Force

The purpose of the task force is to promote substance abuse prevention programming and awareness activities in all Washington State institutions of higher learning. The task force sponsors a statewide college wellness conference each year for students, staff, and faculty. The task force meets bi-monthly, and also provides mini-grants and technical support to colleges and universities.  Contact: Pam.Darby@dshs.wa.gov

Mentoring Initiative

In collaboration with a statewide advisory committee, DBHR has developed a strategic plan for recruiting and using mentors to reach at-risk youth and model, teach, and reinforce positive behavior. The plan, which is now being implemented, includes recommendations for quality assurance, training and technical assistance, marketing and communications, resource development, and evaluation.  For more information visit  mentoring.org.

State Prevention Summit

In collaboration with other state agencies and prevention organizations, DBHR supports an annual State Prevention Summit. The Summit is for community-based volunteer prevention task forces, youth, and prevention professionals who are interested in learning new prevention strategies for their communities.  For more information visit www.preventionsummit.org

Washington State Healthy Youth Survey

DBHR administers a statewide Healthy Youth Survey in local school districts in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the DSHS Division of Research and Data Analysis, the Department of Health, and the Department of Commerce.  Survey data is collected every two years and used for local and state prevention program planning.  For the latest survey results, visit www.askhys.net.  For more information about the survey, visit www.hys.wa.gov.

School-based Prevention/Intervention Programs

DBHR contracts with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to administer the Washington State Prevention/Early Intervention Program. The program places intervention specialists in local schools to serve those students at risk of using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, as well as those students who have initiated substance use. Students who are chemically dependent are referred to community-based treatment centers.

OSPI Student Assistance Program Manual: http://www.k12.wa.us/SAPISP/pubdocs/PreventionInterventionManualApril2006.pdf

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders