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