Early Intervention Program Reduces Youth Substance Abuse in WV

A pilot program in Logan and Mercer counties is cutting down on youth substance abuse in the Mountain State. WV’s Substance Abuse Early Intervention Program (EIP) targets youth ages 12-18 who have just begun to use alcohol, tobacco, or other substances and/or are engaging in delinquent behavior often associated with substance use.

Since its inception in 2010, 65 youth have completed the program, which enhances accurate understanding of the risks of alcohol, tobacco, & other drug (ATOD) use and develops ATOD refusal skills. The program also provides an alternative option for youth who may be on their way into the juvenile justice system.

“WV’s Early Intervention Program is appropriate for youth who fall BETWEEN the stages of needing primary prevention services and those who need actual substance abuse treatment,” says Jamie Albert, WV EIP Statewide Coordinator. “Youth in need of counseling, therapy or other treatment services are NOT appropriate candidates for the EIP.”

Youth are referred to the local programs by the WV Department of Health & Human Resources (WV DHHR), school personnel, the court system, and parents. EIP Specialists conduct a screening assessment with referred youth to confirm eligibility to participate. Youth who opt to participate and their parents attend separate two-hour orientation sessions. Youth then experience a 12 hour evidence-based prevention education course. Classes are usually six two-hour sessions over a two week period. The curriculum addresses the consequences of substance use and decision making skills. A parenting and wellness workshop is also available to parents.

WV’s EIP is based on a similar statewide initiative in Kentucky, which has proven to prevent teen substance use. A recent evaluation report on the pilot programs in Logan and Mercer counties confirms increased risk perceptions of substance abuse, increased disapproval substance abuse, and decreased intentions to further
use drugs. The report is available at http://www.prevnet.org/earlyintervention/default.aspx.

WV’s EIP is funded by Drug Free WV grants (Purdue Pharma Asset Forfeiture Funds) and a federal Projects of Regional and National Significance grant. The program is administered by the WV Prevention Resource Center, an affiliate of Marshall University. Local contractors facilitate the EIP at the county level.

December Health Observances

World AIDS Day (December 1)
WV Division of STD, HIV, Hepatitis
www.dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/std-hiv-hep/Pages/default.aspx

National Handwashing Awareness Week (December 4-10)

Safe Toys & Gifts Month

National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month

Stay safe this holiday season.
•Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin.
•Never serve those under the age of 21 alcohol.
•Plan safe parties, including providing non-alcoholic drink options to guests and not serving alcohol the last hour of the gathering.
•Be prepared to get everyone home safe in case your plans or individual circumstances change.

Sources: National Health Information Center; Wellness Council of America; Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Building Communities Through Green & Sustainable Jobs

Currently on Prevention WV...

Going green isn’t JUST about recycling plastic bottles and newspaper. Green initiatives also mean community development, because they strive to improve community well-being. Sarah Halstead Boland joins me on the current edition of Prevention West Virginia to discuss West Virginia GreenWorks an organization that strives to create sustainable green jobs in local communities.

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

RX Abuse Prevention Strategies Workshop Dec 14

The Northern WV Rural Health Education Center is sponsoring an RX Abuse Prevention Strategies Workshop December 14th @ Glenville State College.

This FREE workshop is intended for medical professionals (physicians, nurses, pharmacists); social workers; counselors; law enforcement; addiction & prevention professionals in BRAXTON, CALHOUN, GILMER, LEWIS & WIRT counties. Continuing education units will be available. There will be a nominal fee for some types of CEUs.

Please use the link below to view and/or print an 11x17 information flyer, which includes a detailed agenda, presenter info, and additional CEU details.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18051075/2011-12-RX_Prevention_Glenville.pdf

To confirm your eligibility to attend and to register, please contact
Donna Steigleder
304.462.6292
donna.steigleder@nwvrhec.org

This workshop may be offered at additional locations this spring. Please call Jo Beyer @ 304.766.6301 ext 21 for additional information.

Health Observances in November 2011 & WV Resources

•American Diabetes Month & World Diabetes Day (Nov 14)
WV Diabetes Prevention & Control Program

•Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month & World COPD Day (Nov 16)
COPD Includes Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema and Asthma


•Lung & Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
WV Comprehensive Cancer Program

•National Family Caregivers Month
WV Caregivers

•American Healthy Skin Month

•National Hospice Palliative Care Month

•Prematurity Awareness Month
March of Dimes WV Chapter

•Great American Smokeout (Nov 17)
WV Div. of Tobacco Prevention

•International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Nov 25)
WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence

WV Wellness and Prevention Event Calendar
available @ www.PrevNET.org
Please send relevant event information to michele.burnside@marshall.edu.

WV Wellness and Prevention County Coalition Contact Information
available @ www.PrevNET.org
Please send relevant event information to michele.burnside@marshall.edu.

Take Care WV RX Abuse Prevention Campaign Website
available @ www.takecarewv.org
It is dangerous and illegal to share prescription medications with family and friends.


Sources: National Health Information Center, Wellness Council of America

RX Take Back Saturday, October 29th Across WV

Keep your family, friends, and community safe by properly disposing of unused, unwanted and expired medication. RX Take Back locations will be available Saturday, October 29 from 10 am to 2 pm across West Virginia and the U.S.

Visit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s website to find a location near you.

Remember, it is dangerous and illegal to share prescription medication. Learn more and find resources at the Take Care WV RX Prevention Campaign Website.

Currently on Prevention WV

Substance abuse costs West Virginia more than $1.5 billion dollars every year. On the current edition of Prevention WV, Dr. Yetty Shobo of the WV Prevention Resource Center highlights the financial impact of substance abuse on the Mountain State.

The WVPRC’s cost of substance abuse reports are all available online at http://www.prevnet.org/Funding%20Study/reports.htm.

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

RX Take Back Oct 29

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is once again coordinating a National RX Take Back Initiative. It is Saturday, October 29th from 10 am – 2 pm. The DEA's website includes a searchable database of take back locations (there are many locations in WV) and materials for planning and marketing a take back event at the local level.

WV’s Take Care RX Prevention Campaign website (http://www.takecarewv.org) also has many resources that can complement RX take back initiatives. Consider, for example, printing some of the various “Please don’t share RX drugs.” or “Proper RX Disposal” flyers to handout at your local event.

October Health Observances

--American Pharmacist Month
--Breast Cancer Awareness Month
--Disability Employment Awareness Month
--Domestic Violence Awareness Month
--Down Syndrome Awareness Month
--Eye Injury Prevention & Home Eye Safety Month
--Lupus Awareness Month
--Physical Therapy Month
--Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month

Oct 10: National Depression Screening Day
Oct 10: World Mental Health Day
Oct 9-15: Fire Prevention Week
Oct 9-15: WV Anti-Bullying Week
Oct 12-20: Bone/Joint Decade National Action Week
Oct 21: Mammography Day
Oct 23-31: Red Ribbon Week
Oct 26: Lung Health Day
Oct 31-Nov 6: National Drug Facts Week

Sources: National Health Information Center, American Institute of Preventative Medicine, Holiday Insights.com

Substance Abuse Costs WV’s Criminal Justice System More Than $429 Million

According to the latest report from the WV Prevention Resource Center (WVPRC), the financial impact of drug and alcohol abuse on West Virginia’s criminal justice system was $429,771,027 in 2010. This is more than a $50 million increase since 2009. The report projects costs could rise to more than $695 million by 2017.

The Financial Burden of Substance Abuse in West Virginia: The Criminal Justice System, Series 2 is an updated, continuation of a series of reports that examine the cost of substance abuse on West Virginia’s criminal justice, healthcare, education, welfare and workforce systems. This report focuses on eight sectors of the criminal justice system – the Public Defender Program, Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, Parole Board, Law Enforcement, Judicial System, Division of Juvenile Services, Division of Corrections, and Regional Jail Authority.

“More than half of the budgets of most WV criminal justice agencies go toward substance abuserelated crimes,” said Yetty Shobo, WVPRC Evaluation Specialist and author of the report. Shobo can be reached at 501.310.8593.

The cost of substance abuse report series is available at www.PrevNET.org. The current report was funded through a federal Projects of Regional and National Significance Grant from the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

Complete Report
News Release

Parenting and Early Intervention...Currently on Prevention WV TV

On the current edition of Prevention West Virginia, Jamie Albert and Michele Burnside discuss talking with your kids about drugs and substance abuse early intervention programs in Logan and Mercer counties. Show times and locations are available at http://www.prevnet.org/preventionwvTV/default.aspx.

New Substance Abuse Prevention Council

Executive Order 5-11 rescinds the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and establishes the Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse.

September Health Observances

--Childhood / Ovarian / Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
WV Comprehensive Cancer Program

--Fruit & Veggies More Matters & Whole Grains Month

--Healthy Aging Month
WV Bureau of Senior Services

--Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month

--National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

--National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

--National Cholesterol Education Month

--National Pediculosis (Head Lice) Prevention Month

--Newborn Screening Awareness Month
WV DHHR

Currently on Prevention WV: College Summit WV

Nearly 50 percent of students in low income communities drop out of high school before graduation. One approach to solving this problem is building college-going culture.

On the current edition of Prevention West Virginia, Michele Burnside interviews Jen Wood to discuss how College Summit WV is working with high schools to prepare students for success beyond graduation.

Prevention West Virginia is a 30-minute news and interview-style television program that highlights prevention, wellness, and community development initiatives in WV. It is produced by the WV Library Commission and coordinated/hosted by the WV Prevention Resource Center. Show times includes Suddenlink Channel 17 (Thursdays @ 10:30 am and 10:30 pm; Fridays @ 4:30 am; Saturday @ 7:30 pm).

College Summit WV is one of many projects featured on Our Mountain State: Faces, Places and Stories of Community Development in WV.

August Health & Wellness Observances

--Amblyopia (“lazy eye”) Awareness Month
--Cataract Awareness Month
--Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month
--Family Meals Month
--National Immunization Awareness Month
Resource: WV Immunization Network
--Psoriasis Awareness Month
--Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
--World Breastfeeding Week
Resource: WV Breastfeeding Alliance

Sources: National Health Information Center; Food and Health Communications

July Health Observances

Cord Blood Awareness Month
www.parentsguidecordblood.org

International Group B Strep Awareness Month
www.groupbstrepinternational.org

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
www.arthritis.org/ja-alliance-main.php

National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month
www.nccapm.org/

UV Safety Month
www.aao.org/aaoesite/eyemd/uv.cfm

WV Youth Create Underage Drinking Prevention PSAs

More than two dozen West Virginia youth from Cabell, Greenbrier and Kanawha counties will star in new public service announcements (PSAs) designed to raise awareness of and prevent underage drinking. Earlier this year, the teams of youth from Cabell County’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, the Marshall University Ad Club, Greenbrier East High School and the South Charleston Housing Authority submitted draft scripts for this year’s 2011 PSA Challenge. This summer, the youth will fine-tune their scripts and work with the Tri-State CW to produce the television spots. The WV Radio Corporation will use audio clips from the video shoots to produce the radio spots.

“Consumption of alcohol when you are under 21 is illegal; and underage drinking costs WV millions every year in medical care, work loss and other problems resulting from the use of alcohol by youth,” said Stephanie Southall, WV’s Underage Drinking Prevention Specialist. “Research shows peer influence is the most effective strategy for creating a culture where underage drinking is NOT the norm. That’s why the RU21 PSAs are created and produced by West Virginia youth.”

The underage drinking PSAs will be distributed statewide this fall to the media and county coalition contacts across WV. They will also be available via You Tube.

The PSAs are coordinated by the West Virginia Prevention Resource Center’s (WVPRC) Underage Drinking Prevention & Social Marketing Project, which is funded by the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Grant Program administered by the WV Division of Justice & Community Services. Additional information about the WVPRC’s Underage Drinking Prevention & Social Marketing Project, including other messages created by West Virginia youth, is available at www.prevnet.org/ru21 and http://21means21.blogspot.com/.

Journalists are welcome to stop by the video shoots to interview students participating in the project.

• TUESDAY, JUNE 14 @ 3 pm - Video Shoot @ Little Creek Park COMPLETED
• FRIDAY, JUNE 17 @ 1:30 pm – Video Shoot @ Marshall University COMPLETED
• TUESDAY JUNE 28 @ 10 am – Video Shoot @ Huntington Middle School
• AUGUST Date to Be Announced – Video Shoot in Greenbrier County

Currently on Prevention WV: RiffRaff Arts Collective in Mercer County

An infusion of arts and culture is bringing about change in Princeton, West Virginia. Lori McKinney-Blankenship highlights the Riff Raffs Arts Collective in Mercer County on the current edition of Prevention WV.

The Riff Raff Arts Collective is also featured on the Our Mountain State community development website.

Prevention WV is a monthly, television news and interview program that highlights prevention, wellness and community development initiatives across WV. Learn more about the show (including air times and channels) at www.prevnet.org/preventionwvtv.

June Health Observances & Resources

Fireworks Safety Month (June – July 4th)
National Council on Fireworks Safety
WV Fire Commission

Cataract Awareness Month
Prevent Blindness America

Home Safety Month
Home Safety Council Toolkit

Men's Health Month & Week (June 9-13)

National Aphasia Awareness Month
National Aphasia Association

National Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month
The CMV Action Network

National Scleroderma Awareness Month
Scleroderma Foundation

National Rip Current Awareness Week (June 5-11)
National Weather Service Rip Current Safety

Currently on Prevention WV

For fifteen years, A.B.L.E. Families has helped low-income residents of Mingo County make positive changes in their lives. Barry Hudock and Sister Patricia Murray guest on the current edition of Prevention WV to highlight the non-profit, faith-based organization in Kermit, WV.

A.B.L.E. Families is also featured on the new Our Mountain State Website.

Prevention WV is a monthly, television news and interview program that highlights prevention, wellness and community development initiatives across WV. Learn more about the show (including air times and channels) at www.prevnet.org/preventionwvTV/default.aspx.

Take Care Campaign Now Has RX Take Back Toolkit

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. Recently, the White House released a national plan to address prescription drug abuse in the U.S. The plan includes public education components to raise awareness about the dangers of RX misuse.

The Take Care West Virginia Campaign was developed by the WV Prevention Resource Center and WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being to change social and cultural norms about sharing prescription drugs. Prescription misuse is dangerous, and sharing prescriptions is illegal. Initially launched in 2010, the Take Care Campaign features:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS / WEBSITE: The primary component of Take Care WV is a series of research-based, professionally produced public service announcements (PSAs) including television, radio, and print spots. All of the PSAs are available to view and download via the campaign website, and they can also be viewed directly from You Tube. During a five-week paid media placement in the summer of 2010 and three-weeks in December 2010, the television PSAs aired more than 3,200 times on cable and broadcast stations across WV. The television PSAs have also aired for free via WV Library Commission programming, Marshall University Channel 25, Charleston Area Medical Center’s lobby TVs, and the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy TVs. Additionally, TV, radio and print PSAs have been distributed by local prevention and media partners thorough both paid and in-kind support. The campaign website features links to all the PSAs, RX drug facts/statistics, information about proper RX storage and disposal including a toolkit for RX Take Back events, and links to the WV Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline and WV Poison Center. Approximately 3,000 people have visited the website and/or viewed the PSAs via You Tube since the campaign was launched last year.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION/PLANNING: Thirty-six (36) counties partnered with the WV Prevention Resource Center and WV Center for Civic Life last year to convene approximately 200 discussions and county-wide summits about what communities can do about prescription drug abuse. Resources (including a starter video, discussion guides, survey, etc.) for facilitating additional community discussions are available on the Take Care campaign website.

RX BAGS FOR PHARMACIES: All of WV’s 55 counties participated in statewide use of more than 1.5 million pharmacy bags with the Take Care WV logo/website/message. In the summer of 2010, 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, Kroger, Walmart/Sam’s Club, and Fruth supported the initiative.

All Take Care WV campaign materials are available for public use, and most of the items can be edited to include local coalition information. Additional information is available by contacting michele.burnside@marshall.edu.

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

May Health Observances and Resources

Arthritis Awareness Month

National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
WV Osteoporosis & Arthritis Program: www.wvbonenjoint.org

Better Hearing and Speech Month
WV Speech, Language & Hearing Association: www.wvsha.org/

Employee Health and Fitness Month
Wellness Council of WV: www.wcwv.org

Healthy Vision Month

Hepatitis Awareness Month / HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (May 18)
WV Div. of STD, HIV, & Hepatitis: 1-800-642-8244

Lupus Awareness Month

Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
WV Comprehensive Cancer Program: www.wvcancer.com

Mental Health Month
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 1 – 7)
WV Mental Health Consumers Association: www.wvmhca.org

National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
WV Gluten Intolerance Group: www.orgsites.com/wv/wvgig

National High Blood Pressure Education Month

Older Americans Month
WV Bureau of Senior Services: www.wvseniorservices.gov / www.wvseniors.org

National Alcohol- and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Week (May 8-14)
March of Dimes: www.marchofdimes.com/westvirginia

World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
WV Division of Tobacco: www.wvdtp.org

Safely Dispose of Your Unused and Expired Prescriptions

Please remember to safely dispose of unused or expired medications Saturday, April 30th, from 10 am - 2 pm during the national/statewide RX Take Back Day.

Find the location nearest you at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.

Please make sure all your family/friends/associates know about this opportunity to prevent RX abuse.

Substance Abuse Costs West Virginia More Than $1.6 Billion Annually

According to the latest report from the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being (WV Partnership) and the WV Prevention Resource Center (WVPRC), the financial impact of drug and alcohol abuse in West Virginia is more than $1.6 billion annually. The report projects costs could rise to more than $2.3 billion by 2017 if urgent actions are not taken.

This report is the final in a series of reports that examine the cost of substance abuse on West Virginia’s criminal justice, healthcare, education, welfare and workforce systems. This final summative report incorporates estimates from all these sectors as well as includes data from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) and the Commission on Drunk Driving Prevention (CDDP). Additionally, the report examines the magnitude of substance abuse in WV.

“The high costs of substance abuse presented in all of our reports are actually conservative, because they focus only on direct costs,” said Yetty Shobo, WVPRC Evaluation Specialist and author of the report. “Indirect cost of injuries to innocent parties by substance users and illness not directly due to substance use but that are complicated or extended due to substance use were not estimated. In addition, the cost of tobacco use and abuse is not included in any of the reports because that has been adequately examined in various studies.”

“The Financial Burden of Substance Abuse in West Virginia: Final Report in Series One” was funded with U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s Prevention as Community Development: Projects of Regional and National Significance grant funds.

At a drug summit in November 2009, the Governor, the WV Partnership, and the WVPRC released The Governor’s Comprehensive Plan to Address Substance Abuse in WV. The plan outlines the necessary infrastructure and resources to effectively combat substance abuse. Guided by the Blueprint for States: Policies to Improve the Ways States Organize and Deliver Alcohol and Drug Prevention & Treatment, the plan specifically recommends investment of state funding to support county-level coalitions/initiatives, regional and state projects, prevention research and prevention system infrastructure. The WV legislature has expressed significant interest in this issue, however funding has not yet been allocated.

The WV Partnership, created by Executive Order 8-04, is WV’s Governor-appointed substance abuse prevention and early intervention planning body. The WVPRC staffs the WV Partnership and provides support for WV’s community prevention and well-being initiatives.

Additional information about the WV Partnership, the WVPRC, The Comprehensive Plan to Address Substance Abuse in WV, and the Costs of Substance Abuse Project is available at www.PrevNet.org.

Run for Adam Memorial Scholarship Run

Teddy Johnson guests on the current episode of Prevention WV, which highlights Run for Adam, an annual memorial scholarship run in Huntington West Virginia.

Run for Adam is also featured on the new Our Mountain State Website.

Prevention WV is a monthly, television news and interview program that highlights prevention, wellness and community development initiatives across WV. Learn more about the show (including air times and channels) at www.prevnet.org/preventionwvTV/default.aspx.

April Health Observances and Resources

Alcohol Awareness Month
Toolkit from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
WV Underage Drinking Prevention Initiative

National Autism Awareness Month
Autism Society of America – WV Chapter
WV Autism Training Center

National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Prevent Child Abuse WV
Pinwheels for Prevention

National Donate Life Month
Donate Life WV

National Minority Health Month
U.S. Office of Minority Health

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
WV Foundation for Rape Information

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month
http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/

National Public Health Week (April 4-10)
WV Dept. of Health & Human Resources Bureau for Public Health
WV Public Health Association

World Health Day (April 7)
World Health Organization

National Infant Immunization Week (April 23-30)
WV Immunization Network

New Website Highlights Community Development Across WV

A new online project showcases stories of community development throughout West Virginia. The Our Mountain State website features audio visual stories of home grown businesses, organizations, and programs that are making a difference in their communities. The project is a collaborative initiative of the WV Community Development Hub, WV Prevention Resource Center and Dream Catcher Creative.

“Our Mountain State was developed to draw attention to local efforts to bring about community change,” said Beth Campbell of the WV Prevention Resource Center. “Improving the well-being of a community happens through many venues including new businesses, art and cultural projects, volunteer opportunities, and health and wellness programs.”

“Too often, we focus on what is going wrong in our state,” said Kent Spellman, Executive Director of the WV Community Development Hub. “Our Mountain State archives positive stories from across West Virginia, and we hope it will encourage other communities to take action and tell their stories as well.”

Our Mountain State currently profiles initiatives in the following communities:
•Big Ugly (Lincoln Co.): Step by Step Organization
•Charleston (Kanawha Co): Pedaler’s Paradise & Spokes for Folks
•Dunbar (Kanawha Co.): Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action
•Fayetteville (Fayette Co.): Fayette County Farmers Market & Gourmet on the Gorge Catering
•Huntington (Cabell Co.): Adam Johnson Memorial Run / Huntington Community Gardens / Gallery 842 / Trees for Tomorrow Volunteer Group
•Kermit (Mingo Co.): ABLE Families Non-Profit Organization
•Point Pleasant (Mason Co.): Main Street
•Princeton (Mercer Co.): RiffRaff Arts Collective
•Rand (Kanawha Co.): Rand Caring Center
•Rock Cave (Upshur Co.): Fish Hawk Acres
•Shinnston (Harrison Co.): Bocce Pavilion
•Statewide: College Summit West Virginia

Additional projects and communities will be chronicled in the future. Ideas for stories may be submitted to contact@ourmountainstate.org. Our Mountain State has been developed with federal funds from a Projects of Regional and National Significance Grant from the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

Our Mountain State is the topic of the current episode of Prevention West Virginia, which airs this month through mid-April on several cable channels including Suddenlink Channel 17 (Thursdays at 10:30 am, 4:30 pm, and 10:30 pm; Fridays at 4:30 am; and Saturdays at 7:30 pm).

RX Abuse Prevention Strategies for WV: April 7 Workshop

The WV Prevention Resource Center’s monthly training series continues in April with:

RX Abuse Prevention Strategies for West Virginia
Social Marketing / Community Discussions / Proper RX Storage & Disposal / RX Take Back Events

Thursday, April 7, 2011
9:00 am – 3:45 PM
@ the WV Prevention Resource Center in Dunbar

Up to 6 CEUs for addiction/prevention, counseling, nursing & social work will be offered!

Please visit www.prevnet.org/trainings.aspx for additional information including a detailed agenda, cost and presenter information, and online registration.

March 16 Evaluation 101 Trainings in Dunbar and Morgantown

March 16 from 10 am - 3 pm the WV Prevention Resource Center is offering EVALUATION 101 workshops at TWO LOCATIONS: the WVPRC in Dunbar or the Mountaineer Mall Community Room in Morgantown. ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND ONLINE REGISTRATION are available at: http://www.prevnet.org/trainings.aspx

2011 Youth-Created PSA Contest to Prevent Underage Drinking

RU21 – WV’s Underage Drinking Prevention and Social Marketing Project – is seeking ideas for its latest round of public service announcements. West Virginia middle school, high school, and college students are invited to enter the 2011 PSA Challenge by submitting concepts for radio and television underage drinking prevention messages that emphasize “21 means 21.”

“Consumption of alcohol beverages by those under 21 is illegal,” said Stephanie Southall, WV’s Underage Drinking Prevention Specialist. “Research shows peer influence is the most effective strategy for creating a culture where underage drinking is NOT the norm. That’s why the RU21 PSAs are created and produced by West Virginia youth.”

ALL West Virginia students at the middle school, high school or college level are eligible to participate. Individuals or teams of up to 6 students may submit applications. More than 6 students may work together to develop scripts, but no more than 6 students from one organization will travel to Charleston for production. Each individual or group must have at least 1 (but no more than 2) adult sponsor(s).

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE to the WV Prevention Resource Center no later than MAY 2, 2011. The best projects (based on creativity, originality, message and overall presentation) will be selected by a team of media and prevention professionals. Winners will be announced May 9.

Selected participants (and adult sponsors) will travel to Charleston in June to fine-tune their scripts, tour the radio and television production facilities, and record the PSAs. Adult sponsors will be reimbursed for mileage costs. Travel and meals will be provided.

Later in 2011, the final PSAs will be distributed statewide to the media and county prevention partnerships and available via You Tube.

The RU21 project is funded by The U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws program, which is administered in West Virginia by the State Division of Justice and Community Services.

Announcement & Application

RU 21 Blog

March Prevention/Wellness/Health Observances

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
WV Comprehensive Cancer Program

National Endometriosis Awareness Month
Endometriosis Research Center



National Nutrition Month & National School Breakfast Week (March 7-12)
www.eatright.org / www.schoolnutrition.org

Save Your Vision Month / Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Prevent Blindness America

Problem Gamblers Week (March 6-12)
The Problem Gamblers Help Network of WV

Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 6-12)
National Patient Safety Foundation

National Sleep Awareness Week (March 7 – 13)
National Sleep Foundation
CAMC General Hospital Sleep Center

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10)
www.womenshealth.gov

World Kidney Day (March 11)
National Kidney Foundation

Brain Awareness Week (March 14-20)
The DANA Foundation

National Poison Prevention Week (March 20-26)
WV Poison Center

World Salt Awareness Week (March 21-27)
www.worldactiononsalt.com

World Tuberculosis Day (March 24)
www.stoptb.org

American Diabetes Alert Day (March 25)
WV Diabetes Prevention & Control Program

Source: www.healthfinder.gov

Substance Abuse Costs WV's Workforce System $12 Million Annually

The WV Prevention Resource Center has released its latest cost of substance abuse report. “The Financial Burden of Substance Abuse in West Virginia: The Workforce System” is now available online. Although drug and alcohol abuse seriously impact the workforce system in terms of productivity, efficiency, and other factors, data illuminating those costs have yet to be systematically collected. The present report, therefore, limits its scope to the cost of worker absenteeism related to drug and alcohol abuse. Worker absenteeism is defined as the extra days substance using workers are absent compared to non-users. This report estimates that drug and alcohol abuse-related worker absenteeism costs the state over $12 million a year.

News Release

Report

WV Summit on Prescription Drug Abuse

Friday, February 25, 2011
University of Charleston – Ballroom – Geary Student Union

Register online now or call 1-800-659-8726 for assistance. The deadline for registration is February 18, 2011, and space is limited to 250 participants.

View the Official Invitation Letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office of Southern WV
at http://www.justice.gov/usao/wvs/training/rx%20summit%20invite_20110210114954.pdf.

Online Registration is available at https://spreadsheets0.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHNGZ3FUSzFmdDR5V3gtR0JGUTBSeEE6MA.

Event Contact
Deanna Eder (304) 345-2200

February Health Observances

• AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
• American Heart Month
• International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
• National Children’s Dental Health Month
• National Wise Health Consumer Month
• Give Kids A Smile Day (Feb 4)
• National Wear Red Day (Feb 4)
• Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (Feb 7-14)
• Children of Alcoholics Week (Feb 13-19)
• National Donor Day (Feb 14)

Tips to Plan a National Health Observance Event

Question, Persuade, Refer for Suicide Prevention: February 17 Workshop

Help save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors through this innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention strategy. The WV Prevention Resource Center's monthly training session will teach participants to Question, Persuade and Refer a suicidal person to a professional who can help. The February 17 workshop runs from 9:30 am - 3 pm at the WVPRC in Dunbar. Up to 4.5 continuing education units will be available for addictions/prevention, counseling, nursing, and social work. Additional information and online registration is available at www.PrevNET.org.

Currently on Prevention WV: Poison Prevention

Dr. Elizabeth Scharman highlights services of the WV Poison Center, and Stephanie Anthony reviews WV's underage drinking issue and prevention initiatives.

Beyond New Year's Resolutions: Jan 18 Workshop

The WV Prevention Resource Center's monthly training series continues this month with Beyond New Year’s Resolutions: Staying on a Path to Wellness in 2011. The January 18th workshop will address healthful eating, stress reduction, and daily fitness tips for you and your clients. CEUs will be available. Join us at the WVPRC in Dunbar Jan 18 from 10 am to 2:30 pm to start the New Year right. Additional information and online registration is available at www.PrevNET.org.

January Health Observances

Cervical Health Awareness Month
Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Radon Action Month
Thyroid Awareness Month
National Folic Acid Awareness Week (January 4-10)

Source: www.healthfinder.gov