Vancouver -- National, state, and community drug prevention leaders will gather to share successful strategies for keeping young people drug-free at the 2007 Washington State Drug Prevention Summit opening Friday, November 16, in Vancouver.

"Preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug misuse, and the harm it causes our youth, families and communities, is a shared responsibility," said Doug Allen, director of the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) in the Department of Social and Health Services. "State and community partners, working together, are the key to supporting healthy youth and families."

The Summit will open Friday at 8 a.m. at the Hilton Vancouver with the Cowlitz Tribe Drumming Group, and a Color Guard flag ceremony. The Summit’s theme is It’s a Simple Choice – Just Use Your Voice." A Youth Rally will take place outside the hotel on Friday at 4:30 p.m.

The Summit will include more than 30 workshops and plenary presentations for parents, youth, prevention and treatment professionals, educators and law enforcement officials from around the state. Participants will learn how to create long-term, healthy changes in their families and communities, by understanding the effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drug misuse, reducing the impact of alcohol and tobacco marketing, recognizing the risks of gambling, and learning how to provide culturally appropriate programs.

Lt. Governor Brad Owen will present Exemplary Prevention Awards, honoring effective programs and dedicated individuals and groups around the state. This year's winners are:

• Patricia Ike and the Yakama Nation Comprehensive Community Alcoholism Program (Individual and Agency Award)
• Rufus Woods, Wenatchee World Newspaper (Media Award)

• Melanie Hopkins, Kittitas County Community Public Health and Safety Network (Lifetime Achievement)

• Jim Borte, Clallam County Sheriff’s Department (Lifetime Achievement)
• Ed Neunherz, Volunteer in Spokane County (Individual Award)
• The Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council (Agency Award)
• Teens Against Tobacco Use Statewide Team (Group Award)
• Ferry County Drug Endangered Children’s Task Force (Group Award)

The closing plenary, Our Only Hope: Reclaiming the Future of Youth, will be held at noon on Saturday.

The summit is open to the public.  Attendees may also register at the event.

The 2007 Prevention Summit is sponsored by the: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services - Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse; Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; Washington National Guard; Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Students Against Destructive Decisions; TOGETHER! of Thurston County; Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking; Washington State Department of Health - Tobacco Prevention and Control Program; Washington State Liquor Control Board; and Washington State Mentoring Partnership.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND: Jim Stevenson, Communications Director, HRSA, DSHS, 360-902-7604 (pager 360-971-4067)