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What’s New

What's New articles share information to help event organizers plan, host, and evaluate events aimed at mobilizing a community around evidence-based strategies to prevent alcohol and other drug misuse.

Mark Your Calendars: January 2025 Marks SAMHSA’s First-Ever Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month

The first-ever Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month will be observed in January 2025. Treatment Month seeks to raise awareness of the benefits and availability of evidence-informed treatments for people with a substance use disorder; address barriers to treatment, including stigma; and normalize seeking help.

SAMHSA published a Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month toolkit, which includes information about weekly themes, events, social media graphics and messaging, a webinar background, and resources that public health organizations, treatment providers, professional associations, and others can use to spread awareness of Treatment Month.

Learn more about Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month and access the toolkit here.

Date: 01/16/2025


Remember to Register for SAMHSA’s 21st Prevention Day!

Don’t miss this national event, which brings together 4,000 prevention practitioners, advocates, scientists, leaders (community, state, tribal, and federal), and consumers at the largest federal gathering dedicated to advancing the prevention of substance use. At SAMHSA’s 21st Prevention Day, on February 3, 2025, you’ll hear directly from youth across the country who are advancing prevention and inspiring their peers and communities.

The 2025 theme, “Telling the Prevention Story,” underscores sharing prevention successes and inspiring action. Prevention Day is held in conjunction with the CADCA National Leadership Forum at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Prevention Day is a free event, but you have to register beforehand.

Date: 01/16/2025


Check Out DAWN 2023 National Estimates from Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits

SAMHSA published the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) 2023 annual estimates for substance-related emergency department visits. The report contains nationally representative data including weighted estimates, demographics, drug types and rates, and information on polysubstance use. Of note, the 2023 report shows that the frequency of substance-related visits increased by 5.8 percent compared to estimates in 2022. The top substances reported were alcohol, cannabis, opioids, methamphetamines, cocaine, and benzodiazepines.

Access the full report here.

Date: 01/16/2025


Promote Every Day Is Take Back Day

DEA launched Every Day is Take Back Day to remind Americans that, in addition to DEA’s twice-annual Take Back Days, there are more than 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses where old, unneeded, or unused drugs can be disposed of year-round. Find these everyday drop-off locations and access resources to spread the word at https://www.dea.gov/everyday-takeback-day.

In addition, promote Every Day is Take Back Day on social media with the hashtag #EveryDayTakeBack and repost content from DEA’s Headquarters and Field Division accounts.

Date: 01/16/2025


View the 2024 Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest Winners

The DEA and the National Family Partnership announced the winners of the 2024 National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest. This year, between home and school submissions, there were 20 winners chosen for numerous categories, including Most Creative, Most Ambitious, Best Use of Family and Community, Best Use of Theme, and Most Educational. Watch this slideshow to see the winning entries.

Date: 01/16/2025


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