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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.

HHS Crisis Resources for Oklahoma

In response to the death of Nex Benedict, a non-binary/two-spirit student in Owasso, Oklahoma, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has compiled resources related to mental health and youth crisis services, tools for youth-serving providers, and resources to preventing school-based bullying and violence. HHS stands in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community and reaffirms its commitment to addressing discrimination, bullying, and violence in all its forms.

Date: 03/07/2024


Get Ready for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) invite community partners—as well as scientists, students, educators, and health care providers—to join in National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) from March 18–24. NDAFW is a weeklong national health observance inspiring dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. During NDAFW, use NIDA’s resources to support teens in making informed decisions about drugs and alcohol.

You can also:

  1. Check out these five steps to hosting an NDAFW event.
  2. Find lesson plans and other materials for prevention specialists, educators, and counselors.
  3. Register your event online to have your event listed on NIDA’s events map. It takes only a few minutes to register!

While you’re at it, why don’t you check out NIAAA’s new Kahoot! quiz about underage drinking? NIAAA has partnered with Kahoot!, an online learning platform, to provide free interactive quizzes and games for educators and learners. This online quiz tests high schoolers’ knowledge about how alcohol affects a teen’s brain and body. The quiz is designed to help students have a better understanding of underage drinking, the negative health consequences associated with drinking, the signs of an alcohol problem, and how they can find support for friends, family, or themselves.

Date: 03/07/2024


Bringing Youth Back to the Top of Our Nation’s Substance Use Agenda

The National Center on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery in partnership with SAMHSA, the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Office of Justice Services, and Indian Health Services, Behavioral Health Division, will be hosting the national Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery March 18-20, 2024 in conjunction with the third annual Pathways to Wellness Forum March 20-21, 2024. Join us for these events in-person in Baltimore, MD or virtually on the virtual Whova platform. This conference brings together practice, research, and policy to address the top public health problem facing our nation’s youth: alcohol and other drugs. With any questions, email info@youthrecoveryanswers.org.

Date: 03/07/2024


Register Your Communities Talk Activity

Planning to host a Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse activity? The 2024 cycle for SAMHSA’s Communities Talk is now open! If you want to join a national effort to help prevent substance use and misuse in your community, email info@stopalcoholabuse.net to request an invitation.

You can also check out our Quick Start Planning Guide, which includes everything community-based organizations need to know to quickly and easily begin organizing a results-oriented substance use and misuse prevention activity. The guide includes detailed steps to help organizers plan and promote their activities, share their successes, and use their planning stipends.

Date: 03/07/2024


Winners of 2023 Red Ribbon Week Campus Video PSA Contest Announced

Congratulations to the University of Northern Colorado, Centre College in Kentucky, and West Chester University in Pennsylvania for winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively, in the 2023 Red Ribbon Week Campus Video PSA Contest, co-sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and SAMHSA! These creative and compelling video entries are now available for online viewing, including the 1st place-winning “Sober Curious,” which parodies prescription drug commercials and lists “side effects” such as “having more time for hobbies, less stress, [and] more time to study for class.”

Date: 03/07/2024


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