Currently On Prevention WV: Family Planning

On the current edition of the Prevention WV television show, Denise Smith and Tisha Reed share information about WV’s family planning program (304.558.5388).

Additional information about Prevention WV, including show times and channels, is available at PrevNET.org.

National 3D Month

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.

Additional information and resources are available at
www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/Impaired_Driving/index.html.

Currently on Prevention West Virginia TV

On the current edition of the Prevention WV television show, Rev. James Patterson of the Partnership of African American Churches discusses his organization’s community development and prevention efforts.

Additional information about Prevention WV, including show times and channels, is available at PrevNET.org.

WVPRC Continues Monthly Training Series

December 9, 2010 (9 am - 4:30 pm) - WVPRC in Dunbar
Discovering Well-Being From The Inside-Out

Additional Details (including online registration):http://www.prevnet.org/trainings.aspx

Reports Highlight Prevention Capacity Growth

Since 2004, West Virginia received and implemented a federal Strategic Prevention Framework Grant that resulted in the increased capacity of state and county coalitions that focus on substance abuse and other prevention initiatives.

The multi-year SPF grant ended this September, but many reports and documents are available that highlight our state’s accomplishments.

Of particular interest are:
--a scholarly journal article (The Power of Process: A Story of Collaboration and Community Change. Journal of Community Development);

--a dissertation (Regional Learning Opportunities: A Story of Place-Based Learning Among Adults in WV);

--and two end-of-project wrap up reports:
• WV SPF SIG Final Qualitative Evaluation Report
• WV SPF SIG Final Grant Closeout Report 2004-2010


Additional Info about WV’s SPF SIG Implementation is available at:
http://www.prevnet.org/spfsig/default.aspx

All evaluation reports are available at:
http://www.prevnet.org/spfsig/reports.aspx

November 2010 Health Observances & Resources

•American Diabetes Month
RESOURCE: WV Diabetes Prevention & Control Program
•COPD Awareness Month
RESOURCE: WV Asthma Education & Prevention Program
•Lung/Stomach/Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
RESOURCE: WV Comprehensive Cancer Program
•Prematurity Awareness Month
RESOURCE: March of Dimes, WV Chapter
•Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month
RESOURCE: American Heart Association
•Nov 8-14: Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
•Nov 8-14: National Drug Facts Week
•Nov 18: Great American Smokeout
RESOURCE: WV Div. of Tobacco Prevention
•Nov 20: National Survivors of Suicide Day
RESOURCE: WV Suicide Council

Source/Additional Info: www.healthfinder.gov

WVPRC To Offer Ethics Training w/ CEUs in November

November 8, 2010 (9 am - 4:30 pm) - WVPRC in Dunbar

Ethics Seminars for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Approved Licensed Professional Supervisors (ALPS)

Additional Details (including online registration): www.PrevNET.org/trainings.aspx

Substance Abuse Costs WV’s Welfare System More Than $95 Million

The financial impact of drug and alcohol abuse on WV's welfare sector is more than $95 million, according to the latest report from the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and the WV Prevention Resource Center (WVPRC). The welfare system includes programs providing income support and other social services to WV children and families.

Yetty Shobo, WVPRC Evaluation Specialist and author of the report, projects substance abuse could cost WV’s welfare system more than $300 million by 2017 if current trends persist and intervention does not occur.

“The Financial Burden of Substance Abuse in West Virginia: The Welfare System” -- available at www.PrevNET.org -- is a continuation of a series initially funded by a federal Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Block Grant administered by the WV Division of Justice and
Community Services. The present work is funded by the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s Prevention as Community Development: Projects of Regional and National Significance Grant and is the fourth in a series that examines the cost of drug and alcohol abuse to the criminal
justice, healthcare, education, welfare, and workforce systems in West Virginia. A comprehensive report, incorporating estimates from all these sectors, will be produced at the end of the project.

The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being, created by Executive Order 8-04, is WV’s Governor-appointed substance abuse prevention and early intervention planning body. The Governor and the WV Partnership released a comprehensive, strategic plan for addressing substance abuse at a drug summit in November 2009. This latest funding study report was produced by the WV Prevention Resource Center, which staffs the WV Partnership and provides support for WV’s community prevention efforts.

Additional information about the WV Partnership, the WVPRC, and the Funding Study project is available at www.PrevNET.org.

October 2010 Health Observances and Related Resources

Talk About Prescriptions Month
National Council on Patient Information & Education
WV Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline: 1-866-WV-QUITT
Take Care WV RX Abuse Prevention Campaign

Halloween Safety Month
Halloween Health & Safety

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
WV Comprehensive Cancer Program

National Dental Hygiene Month
American Dental Hygienists’ Association

Domestic Violence Awareness Month
WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month
www.firstcandle.org/

Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31)
National Family Partnership

Currently on Prevention WV

The definition of bullying extends way beyond taking someone’s lunch money, and it happens more than you might think. Studies show between 15 and 20 percent of U.S. students are bullied. Impact includes school truancy, substance abuse and additional violence.

On the current episode of Prevention West Virginia, Tonya Barnett of Step By Step discusses bullying prevention in WV.

Take Care WV RX Abuse Prevention Campaign Continues

County Summits Convene and Pharmacies Use RX Bags w/
Don’t Share Message This Month

Data indicate social access (sharing) is a major contributor to the misuse of prescription drugs. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most prescription drug abusers obtain their drugs from family and friends. In WV, 64% of nonmedical users of pain relievers reported getting the most recently used drug from a friend or relative for free, and another 7.6% reported buying them from a friend or relative.

Take Care WV, a statewide prescription drug abuse prevention campaign, continues this month through county summits and pharmacy distribution of RX bags with the “Don’t share RX medication.” message.

“This campaign is aimed at changing social/culture norms about sharing prescription drugs,” said Dr. Andy Whisman, Senior Evaluation Specialist with the WV Prevention Resource Center. “West Virginians are a caring people who want to help one another out when the can. Sharing prescriptions, however, is illegal and can be dangerous.”

COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS/ COUNTY-WIDE SUMMITS: Three dozen (36) counties have partnered with the WV Prevention Resource Center and WV Center for Civic Life to convene multiple discussions and county-wide summits about what communities can do about prescription drug abuse. The community discussions took place across the state this summer, and the summits are set for this month. Additional information about these events (including dates/times/locations/forum participant booklets/forum starter video) is available at www.prevnet.org/communityforums.aspx.

RX BAGS FOR PHARMACIES: All of WV’s 55 counties are participating in statewide use of pharmacy bags with the Take Care WV logo/website/message. Earlier this summer, county partners received large quantities of RX bags (the white paper ones you get your prescriptions in) to distribute to local pharmacies willing to participate. Most pharmacies,
including many individual stores and major chains such as Rite Aid, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Kroger, Fruth, are participating in this effort to make sure all West Virginian’s know it is illegal to share prescription medication, and RX misuse and abuse can be just as dangerous and deadly as illicit drug use. The bags also include the statement: Only take prescription medication as advised by your doctor.


PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS / WEBSITE: In addition to the forums/summits and RX bags, the Take Care WV campaign includes public service announcements (PSAs) and a website. Television, radio, and print ads were developed and are available to download online. During a five-week paid media placement earlier this summer the television PSAs aired more than 3,000 times on cable and broadcast stations across WV. The PSAs are also being distributed by local prevention and media partners. The website links to all PSAs, RX drug facts/statistics, information about proper RX storage and disposal, and a link to the WV Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline.

The Take Care WV Campaign, developed and implemented by the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and the WV Prevention Resource Center, has been supported with funding from the following grants: 2009 Drug Free WV Grant, WV’s federal Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG), and WV’s federal Projects of Regional & National Significance (PRNS) Grant.

WV's 2010 Drug Free Communities Grant Recipients

2010 Drug Free Communities grant funding though the Office of National Drug Control Policy has been awarded to the following prevention coalitions in West Virginia:

•Brooke/Hancock Drug Prevention Coalition (via Brooke/Hancock Family Resource Network)

•Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership (via United Way of the River Cities)

•Jackson County Anti-Drug Coalition (via Jackson Co. Health Dept.)

•Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition (via Marshall Co. Family Resource Network)

•Mercer County’s Creating Opportunities for Youth (C.O.F.I) Coalition (via Community Connections)

•Mingo County’s Strong Through Our Plan (S.T.O.P.) Coalition

•Morgan County Partnership

•Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (via Youth Services System)

Additional information is available and/or will be added to www.ondcp.gov/dfc/grantee_map.html.

Congratulations!

September Health Observances/Resources

Childhood / Ovarian / Prostate Cancer Month
Fruit / Veggies / Whole Grains - More Matters Month
Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Infant Mortality Awareness Month
National Pediculosis Prevention Month/Head Lice Prevention Month
National Sickle Cell Month
National Yoga Awareness Month
Reye's Syndrome Awareness Month
Sports and Home Eye Safety Month
National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept 5 -11)
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day (Sept 13)
National School Backpack Awareness Day (Sept 15)
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (Sept 18)
National Farm Safety & Health Week (Sept 19-25)
National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration (Sept 19 - 25)
World Alzheimer's Day (Sept 21)
Rape/Abuse/Incest National Network (RAINN) Day (Sept 23)
Family Health & Fitness Day USA (Sept 25)
National Mesothelioma Awareness Day (Sept 26)
World Rabies Day (Sept 28)
National Women's Health & Fitness Day (Sept 29)
World Heart Day (Sept 30)

SOURCE: www.healthfinder.gov

Currently On Prevention WV: Pharmacists and Community Health

They don’t just dispense medication. Pharmacists are increasingly playing a larger role in the healthcare arena. A recent New York Times article highlights their expanded services, including catching prescription overlap and dangerous interactions, recommending more cost effective medicine, and buffering against the anticipated primary care doctor shortage. On the current edition of Prevention WV, host Michele Burnside talks with Dr. Krista Capehart, pharmacist and assistant professor at the University of Charleston’s School of Pharmacy, who shares insight about the important role pharmacists play in keeping communities healthy. Additional information about Prevention WV is available at www.PrevNet.org.

WVPRC Annual Report

The WVPRC is pleased to announce the availability of its FY 2009-2010 annual report.

WV Medical Journal - Special Edition on Substance Abuse

The latest edition of the WV Medical Journal is a special edition focusing on substance abuse.

Content includes:

--Take Care WV RX Abuse Prevention PSA (PAGE 17)

--Bringing All the Players to the Table: The WV Controlled Substance Advisory Board (PAGE 22)
--Understanding the Cultures of Prescription Drug Abuse, Misuse, Addiction and Diversion (PAGE 64
(articles by WV Partnership member Dr. Mike O’Neil)

--Citation of the Governor’s Plan to Address Substance Abuse in WV (PAGE 28)

--Preliminary Evaluation of the WV Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline (PAGE 38)

--A Comprehensive Checklist for Prevention (PAGE 54)

Community Resiliency Conference August 19-20 @ Days Hotel in Flatwoods

Just as basic principles exist in mathematics, physics or any other science, there are basic Principles that drive the working of all human Psychological functioning, regardless of environment or background. As with any science or discipline, once we understand the basic principles, we can learn to work out any problem.

We invite you to join us to learn more about the applications of these principles in multiple areas such as community and system development, prevention, treatment, leadership, mental health fields, schools systems and individual/personal.

July Health Observances

-Cord Blood Awareness Month
-International Group B Strep Awareness Month
-Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
-UV Safety Month

Source: National Health Information Center

Currently On Prevention WV: Take Care Campaign & RX Abuse in WV

On the current edition of the Prevention WV, we continue our summer long focus on prescription drug abuse.

West Virginians fill an average of 18.7 prescriptions annually compared to the U.S. rate of 12. Between 1999 and 2004, unintentional poisoning deaths in WV increased 550% - more than double that of any other state. Data also show that most prescription drugs abusers obtain their drugs from family and friends.

On the latest edition of Prevention WV, Michele Burnside of the WV Prevention Resource Center highlights the Take Care WV RX Abuse Prevention Campaign, and Dr. Mike O’Neil of the WV Controlled Substance Advisory Board discusses prescription drug abuse and WV’s culture of sharing.

Additional information about the Prevention WV television show, including show times and channels, is available on PrevNET.org.

Tune in and Take Care West Virginia.

WV Students Create Public Service Announcements to Prevent Underage Drinking

Take Care WV Campaign Launched to Address RX Abuse in WV

Everyone knows drugs are dangerous. But did you know that sharing prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and deadly too? Sharing prescription drugs is also illegal.

Data indicate social access (sharing) is a major contributor to the misuse of prescription drugs. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most prescription drug abusers obtain their drugs from family and friends.

This issue demands an approach aimed at changing cultural/social norms about RX drugs,” said Dave Potters, Executive Director of the WV Board of Pharmacy. “In response, the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and WV Prevention Resource Center have launched a social marketing/media campaign that focuses on the message ‘Please don’t share prescription drugs.’”

Additional Info:
News Release
Campaign Website

Currently On Prevention WV: Community Issues Forums on RX Abuse

On the current edition of Prevention WV…

Doug Walters (WV Center for Civic Life’s Board of Directors) discusses the importance of public dialogue, and
Stephanie Anthony (WV Prevention Resource Center) highlights the role of community forums in the Take Care WV: RX Abuse Prevention Campaign.

Additional information about the Prevention WV television show, including show times and channels, is available at http://www.prevnet.org/preventionwvTV/default.aspx.

Obama Drug Strategy Stresses Evidence-Based Prevention

Obama Drug Strategy Stresses Evidence-Based Prevention

Future of Prevention Funding Lies in Broad, Public-Health Approach

Future of Prevention Funding Lies in Broad, Public-Health Approach

Take Care WV: Don't Share RX Drugs

Everyone knows drugs are dangerous. But did you know that sharing prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and deadly too? Sharing prescription drugs is also illegal.

Data indicates social access (sharing) is a major contributor to the misuse of prescription drugs. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most prescription drug abusers obtain their drugs from family and friends. In WV, 64% of non-medical users of pain relievers reported getting the most recently used drug from a friend or relative for free, and another 7.6% reported buying them from a friend or relative.

Please don't share prescription drugs. Only take prescriptions as advised by your doctor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and the WV Prevention Resource Center are launching Take Care WV – a social marketing campaign to spread the word that sharing prescription drugs is illegal, and it can be just as dangerous and deadly as illicit drugs.

How can you help support this campaign and reduce the misuse of prescription drugs in our state?

-Please visit www.takecarewv.org to view/listen to campaign messages, read facts and statistics about RX drug misuse/abuse, and learn about proper RX storage and disposal.

-Participate in your county’s discussions about RX abuse. Community Forums/Discussions on RX abuse are being scheduled across the state this summer. Dates will soon be posted on the WV Prevention Training & Events Calendar available at www.PrevNET.org. Contact information for your County Prevention Partnership is available at PrevNet as well as www.takecarewv.org.

-Encourage your local coalitions/media/businesses/schools/civic groups to air/print the PSAs as much as possible. All the PSAs can be downloaded at www.takecarewv.org.

Some specific ideas for distributing the campaign messages include:

-Email/talk to all your professional and personal contacts about this campaign. Feel free to forward this message as is, but also consider adding your own personal touch.

-Print some of the PSAs as flyers and distribute/post them in your community. Ask your doctor, dentist, child care provider, church, employer, etc. to post flyers in their waiting areas, exam rooms, lunch rooms or bathrooms.

-Facebook/Twitter the following message: Take Care WV: Please don’t share prescription drugs. Learn more at www.takecarewv.org

-Include the print PSAs in newsletters, church bulletins, meeting packets, mailings, etc.

-Talk to your local pharmacist about the campaign. Ask if they’ll post some of the flyers, and tell them later this summer we plan to have RX bags (with the campaign logo/message) for all WV pharmacies to use for a limited time. We’re working on corporate permission for the chains right now. MORE ON THIS COMING SOON

Thanks in advance for your support of Take Care WV.

May Health Observances

•American Stroke Month
•Better Hearing and Speech Month
•Clean Air Month
RESOURCE: WV Clean Indoor Air Program
•Healthy Vision Month
•Hepatitis Awareness Month
•Lupus Awareness Month
•Lyme Disease Awareness Month
•Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
RESOURCE: WV DHHR: Comprehensive Cancer Program
•Mental Health Month
RESOURCE: WV Mental Health Consumers’ Association
•National Arthritis Awareness Month & National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
RESOURCE: WV DHHR: Osteoporosis & Arthritis Program
•National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
RESOURCE: WV DHHR: Asthma Education and Prevention Program
•National Foster Care Month
RESOURCE: Mission WV Frameworks
•National High Blood Pressure Education Month
•National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
•National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
RESOURCE: WV DHHR: Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative
•National Alcohol- and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Week (May 9 – 15) RESOURCE: WV March of Dimes
•National Women's Check-up Day (May 10)
•HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (May 18)
RESOURCE: WV DHHR: HIV/AIDS & STD Program
•World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
RESOURCE: WV DHHR: Division of Tobacco Prevention

SOURCE/ADDITIONAL INFO: National Health Information Center

Currently On Prevention WV: Foster Care in WV

Nearly half a million children are in foster care in the United States. May is National Foster Care Month. On the current edition of Prevention WV, guests Carrie Robey (Mission WV) and Nate Emch (Adoptive and Foster Parent in Charleston) discuss foster care in West Virginia. Additional information about the Prevention WV television show, including show times and channels, is available at PrevNET.org.

Substance Abuse Costs WV’s Education System More Than $13 Million

More than $13 million of West Virginia’s education system budget was consumed to provide drug and alcohol related prevention and treatment services in 2009, according to a new report released this month by the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and the WV Prevention Resource Center.

“The Financial Burden of Substance Abuse in West Virginia: The Education System” examines the impact of drug and alcohol use on West Virginia’s education system including elementary, secondary and institutions of higher learning. It is the third in a series of reports examining the cost of drug and alcohol use in WV. A comprehensive report, incorporating estimates from criminal justice, health care, education, child welfare, and workforce systems, will be produced at the end of the project, and all reports will be updated annually. The reports are part of a larger Family Funding Study project, which is funded with U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Block Grant money administered by the WV Division of Criminal Justice (DCJS).

“Substance abuse issues, unfortunately, are a challenge to learning environments,” said Don Chapman, Assistant Director of the WV Department of Education’s Office of Healthy Schools and member of the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being. “In addition to educating our state’s children, we must keep them safe and healthy.”

The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being, created by Executive Order 8-04, is WV’s Governor-appointed substance abuse prevention and early intervention planning body. The Governor and the WV Partnership released a comprehensive, strategic plan for addressing substance abuse at a drug summit this past November. This latest funding study report was produced the WV Prevention Resource Center, which staffs the WV Partnership and provides support for WV’s community prevention efforts. The WVPRC is an affiliate of Marshall University and funded through various grants including a federal Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Block Grant administered through the WV DHHR's Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities and a federal Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant and the Governor’s Drug Free WV Grants administered through the WV Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Additional information about the WV Partnership, the WVPRC, and the Funding Study project is available at www.PrevNET.org.

April Health Observances

According to the National Health Information Center, April 2010 is:
•Alcohol Awareness Month
•Foot Health Awareness Month
•Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month
•National Autism Awareness Month
WV RESOURCE: Autism Training Center
•National Cancer Control Month
WV RESOURCE: WV Comprehensive Cancer Program
•National Child Abuse Prevention Month
WV RESOURCE: WVDHHR; Prevent Child Abuse WV
•National Donate Life Month
•National Facial Protection Month
•National Minority Health Awareness Month
•National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
•National Youth Sports Safety Month
•Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
WV RESOURCE: WV Foundation for Rape Information and Service
•Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action (April 8)
•Sports Eye Safety Month
•Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month
•National Public Health Week (April 5-11)
•World Health Day (April 7)
•National Alcohol Screening Day (April 8)
•National Infant Immunization Week (April 24 - May 1)
WV RESOURCE: WV Immunization Program
•March for Babies April (24 & 25)
WV RESOURCE: March of Dimes – WV Chapter
•World Meningitis Day (April 24)

Underage Drinking Prevention PSA Contest DEADLINE EXTENDED

WV's Underage Drinking Prevention PSA Contest Deadline has been extended to April 30. Filming will take place in June after school is out. Due to so many snow days this winter, the Underage Drinking Prevention Workgroup of the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being made this change. Additional information is available at the RU21 website.

WV Partnership Facebook PAGE

The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being's new Facebook PAGE is now up and running. The page features basic info (such as our tagline and website address), photos, video, and a "wall" for posting news and commentary.

The new WV Partnership Facebook PAGE, replaces a previously created WV Partnership Facebook GROUP.

If you Facebook, please consider becoming a fan of the page if you support this Governor-appointed alliance of folks concerned about the well-being of our state.

A link to the WV Partnerhip Facebook PAGE has been added to the WV Partnership menu on PrevNET.

Grants Available to Counties for RX Community Forums/Discussions

Data indicate social access (sharing) is a major contributor to the misuse of prescription drugs. Almost two-thirds of those using prescriptions non-medically obtained their drugs from family and friends. This issue demands an approach aimed at changing cultural/social norms about prescription drugs. The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being (WV Partnership) is coordinating a Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Social Marketing Campaign that includes public service announcements, other social marketing materials and community-level forums/discussions across the state. All County Prevention Partnerships in WV are invited to apply for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Community Forums/Discussions Grants to help get communities talking about and involved with developing community-based solutions to the problem of prescription drug abuse. Additional information is available at http://www.prevnet.org/spfsig/RXcommunitydiscussions.aspx.

2010 WV Legislation Related to Substance Abuse

The topic of substance abuse garnered generous media coverage during WV’s 2010 legislative session. Lawmakers considered several pieces of legislation aimed at preventing drug abuse and providing more resources for treatment. The following is a brief summary of related bills. Additional information is available on the WV Legislature’s website.

PASSED
TOBACCO RELATED
•HB 2773 - Increases the penalties for access and usage of tobacco products by minors.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG RELATED
•SB 362 - Prohibits providing false information to obtain controlled substances prescription.
•SB 81 - WV Official Prescription Program Act providing prescriptions be written on tamper proof pads.
•SB 365 – Requires pharmacies to provide their personnel with online access to the state controlled substances database.
•SB 514 - Clarifies certain language in the Controlled Substances Monitoring Act.

DUI RELATED
•HB 4167 - Procedures for revocation and suspension of driver license for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs.
•SB 186 - Creating Administrative Law Judge Office in DOT responsible for oversight of administrative license revocation hearings .
•HB 4018 - Making illegal possession of a mixture or preparation containing salvia divinorum intended for human consumption.

Did NOT Pass
•HB 4666 - Establishing grant funding program in DHHR for substance abuse prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery.
•Beer Tax Bills - Various measures attempting to place an additional tax on a barrel of beer with proceeds directed at funding of substance abuse efforts

Prevention WV TV Episode #70 Highlights 2010 Legislation & Treatment

On the current edition of Prevention WV, guests Jamie Albert (WV Prevention Resource Center) and Bob Hansen (Prestera Center for Mental Health Services and the WV Behavioral Health Care Providers Association) discuss 2010 legisation related to substance abuse and treatment options in WV. Additional information about the Prevention WV television show is available at PrevNET.org.

WV Partnership Meeting Scheduled in Morgantown

For some time, local prevention coalition members and staff have requested more opportunities to access/interact with the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being. In response, the next meeting of The WV Partnership is scheduled for 9 AM Friday, April 16th, at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown. If you wish to attend to represent your local coalition, please contact Melissa Crawford (304.766.6301 x 12; 304.553.3593; melissa.crawford@marshall.edu) by Tuesday, March 23rd.

Parenting Perspectives: Juvenile Justice Edition Now Available Online

The latest edition of Parenting Perspectives (Winter 2010 – Focus on Juvenile Justice in WV) is available via the WV System of Care website. Parenting Perspectives(is a quarterly newsletter that provides alcohol/tobacco/other drug prevention and mental health information to parents of school aged children.

HB 4666 Moves to Senate Health & Human Resources Comt.

House Bill 4666 was introduced in the WV Sentate yesterday and moved into the Sentate Health and Human Resources Committee.

House Bill 4666 Passes

House Bill 4666, which establishes a funding source for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery passed the House yesterday (March 3) and has been communicated to the Senate.

Additional information is available at www.legis.state.wv.us.

HB 4666 Moves to 3rd Reading on House Special Calendar

House Bill 4666 has moved to 3rd reading on the House Special Calendar. The bill establishes a funding source for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery. Additional information is available at www.legis.state.wv.us.

House Bill 4666 Moves Out of Finance

House Bill 4666, which establishes a funding source for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery, has moved out of the House Finance Committee. The bill is on the House Calendar for its second reading tomorrow (March 2). Additional information is available at www.legis.state.wv.us.

Health Observances in March

Health Observances in the month of March include: National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; National Endometriosis Awareness Month; National Nutrition Month; Save Your Vision Month; Workplace Eye Wellness Month; National Problem Gambling Awareness Week (March 7 - 13); National Sleep Awareness Week (March 7 - 13); National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10); National Poison Prevention Week (March 14-20). Source: National Health Information Center

Tonight @ 6:30 on The Legislature Today: Substance Abuse in WV Segment; Interview w/ the WVPRC's Dr. Wayne Coombs

WV Public Broadcasting's 2/25 edition of The Legislature Today will feature information about substance abuse in WV. The segment includes footage and interviews from the Governor's Drug Summit and a recent interview with WVPRC Director Wayne Coombs. Tune in to WV Public Broadcasting tonight at 6:30 pm.

The Legislature Today is WV's source for daily legislative news and information. If features reports from the Senate, House and committee meetings with in-depth interviews about the issues facing the state.

WV's Beer Tax Discussion

As WV discusses the topic of a proposed beer tax increase, the following resource may be helpful: The Cost of Substance Abuse in WV. The "Costs" webpage also includes links to the following articles: Raising Taxes Reduces Harm; Taxes Myth vs. Reality; Responses to Misleading and Inaccurate Beer Industry Propaganda on Excise Taxes.

Public Hearing on Beer Tax Bill Today @ 5 pm

A Public Hearing regarding an increase in the beer tax is scheduled for Monday, February 22 at 5:00 p.m. in the House of Delegates Chambers. The Hearing is being held by the House Committee on Health and will focus on House Bill 2100. This bill, in its amended form, will generate revenues to the state from an increase in the beer tax, which hasn’t been increased since 1966. The revenues will be used to meet the needs of the state’s substance abuse continuum of care: Prevention, Early Intervention, Treatment and Recovery. Monies will be administered by the WV Supreme Court of Appeals and distributed based on decisions of a multi-disciplinary board in a manner consistent with the Governor’s Comprehensive Strategic Plan to Address Substance Abuse in WV and the recommendations of the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being.

February 14-20th is Children of Alcoholics Week

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) encourages you to take part in grassroots efforts in your community to raise awareness that children of addiction can be encouraged and supported just knowing there are safe people who can help. Visit the NACoA website to learn more about what you can do support this national observance. Source: U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration E-Network

WV Participates in National Anti-Drug Conference

West Virginia will be represented at the 2010 Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA's) Annual National Leadership Forum, which is this week in National Harbour, Maryland. Cabell County's Anne McGee and Marshall University's Carla Lapelle are among the presenters of the "Campus and Community Collaboration: Working Together to Prevent Substance Abuse Among College Students" workshop. Also, WV's CADCA Association will be presented with the National State Association Award at the award luncheon.

WV Partnership Bill Moves Along

House Bill 4150 passed TR 1/28/2010 in the House Judiciary Committee and has been referred to the House Committee on Finance.

February Health Observances

Health Observances in the month of February include: American Heart Month, International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, National Children's Dental Health Month, Children of Alcoholics Week (Feb 14-20), and National Donor Day (Feb 14). Source: National Health Information Center

WV Partnership Bills Introduced

Two identical bills have been introduced in the WV Legislature that will create the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being in code: SB 330 and HB 4150. The WV Legislature’s website contains the bills in their entirety and information on their status, which will be updated as the bills proceed through the legislative process.

WV Partnership Releases Annual Report

The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being's 2009 annual report is now available online.