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.
Apr 14, 2011
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.
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.
Apr 1, 2011
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
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
Mar 21, 2011
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).
“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).
Mar 17, 2011
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.
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.
Mar 7, 2011
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
“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
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