Author: Cele Fichter-DeSando, MPM
May 7-13 2023 is National Prevention Week (NPW). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes NPW as a national education platform to showcase the work of communities and organizations across the country dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. The work of prevention happens every week of the year, through the work of many prevention professionals, behavioral health organizations, community groups, government organizations, collaborations, and advocacy groups.
The editors of the gardening magazine, The Almanac in The Month of May 2023: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore, theorize that possible origins of the name for the month of May come from either the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants and/or the Latin word maiores, “elders”. How fitting that NPW is celebrated in May when we celebrate the work of those who are the elders and pioneers in prevention as well as the new growth of current prevention initiatives. NPW is an opportunity to celebrate the prevention work and initiatives that occur every day.
Beginning in May but lasting throughout the year, the goals of NPW week are
The May edition of the PTTC Post is dedicated to supporting the goals of NPW and highlights several BH resources and publications along with organizations that foster collaboration and networking. Included are free newsletters and communications that can be subscribed to for receiving updates and resources throughout the year. In addition, two resources specifically for planning and celebrating NPW are included. The resources listed here are not meant to be a complete or exhaustive list. While the organizations listed provide websites with resources and information for visiting as needed, they also provide options to receive email and online updates. To ensure that prevention professionals are updated with the latest news and resources, the list below focuses on those organizations that provide free ongoing subscriptions. Prevention professionals use many different sources and collaborations in their work. In the spirit of prevention collaboration, please take the opportunity during the month of May to share your favorite prevention resource with others.
Resources for NPW
SAMHSA provides a Toolkit for Planning Your Event that can be used for NPW or prevention events throughout the year.
The Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) provides resources and guidance to help you Participate in National Prevention Week. CADCA also provides guidance to Join or Start a Coalition.
Prevention and Related Resources
The ATTC Messenger of the Addiction Technology Transfer Centers is a monthly e-publication that communicates tips and information on best practices along with features including Addiction Science Made Easy articles, information about national professional development events and funding opportunities, links to state-of-the-art online resources and other electronic publications relevant to the field.
CADCA emphasizes the power of community coalitions to prevent substance misuse through collaborative community efforts and represents over 5,000 community coalitions that involve individuals from key sectors including schools, law enforcement, youth, parents, healthcare, media, tribal communities, and others. Subscribe to CADCA Updates including Coalitions Online, CADCA’s weekly e-newsletter, to receive updates on substance abuse issues, grant announcements, updates on CADCA programs and events, and real-life examples of CADCA coalitions making a difference in their communities. Sign up for Research into Action, a one-page briefing published six times a year by CADCA's National Coalition Institute that reports on relevant research and examines how the research can be put into action in the community. Sign up for Tobacco updates to receive timely announcements regarding new policies, research, training opportunities, and current news stories. For short periodic updates about CADCA events or grant announcements, sign up to receive CADCA Text Alerts on your mobile phone!
CDC’s Emails Subscription Service - CDC offers a free email subscription service, which makes it easier for you to learn more about different topics including COVID-19, Flu, HIV, Zika, and more. With an email subscription profile, you will receive updated information on items of interest to you. Message frequency varies and re-occurring messages will be sent from most topics.
Center for Advancing Alcohol Science to Practice - (The Center) works with national partner organizations and a cadre of experts, to be an unparalleled resource to communities and states as they implement effective evidence-based, population-level strategies to prevent excessive alcohol use. In the past year, The Center has partnered with three regional PTTCs to develop and deliver training on alcohol policy topics. When coalitions are looking for long-lasting solutions that address underage drinking and reduce alcohol-related harms, we hope they come to us and the strategies in the Community Guide. We are excited to see the interest in alcohol policy topics and look forward to supporting regional centers and the communities they serve in the years ahead!! You can sign up to receive the latest news on alcohol science to practice.
The International Society of Substance Use Professionals - (ISSUP) is a membership organization that connects, unites, and provides knowledge to the global substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. ISSUP issues a bimonthly newsletter, featuring the latest developments, news, and events in the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support fields.
National Council for Mental Wellbeing- is a 501(c) (3) association and the unifying voice of organizations that deliver mental health and substance use services in America. Sign up to receive the latest newsletters and updates from the National Council.
PTTC Network - The purpose of the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network is to improve the implementation and delivery of effective substance abuse prevention interventions and provide training and technical assistance services to the substance misuse prevention field. PTTCPost The monthly eNewsletter for the PTTC Network- is a monthly e-publication that communicates tips and information on best practices along with features, information about national professional development events and funding opportunities, links to state-of-the-art online resources, and other electronic publications relevant to the field.
NIDA Notes For the last 25 years, NIDA Notes has provided in-depth coverage of research findings on drug abuse and addiction. NIDA Notes features articles, animations, and podcasts on:
Nora's Blog | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Nora Volkow highlights important work being done at NIDA and other news related to the science of drug use and addiction.
Partnership to End Addiction - The nation’s leading organization dedicated to addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery, the Partnership to End Addiction is a diverse community of researchers, advocates, clinicians, communicators, and more. Get regular updates on our work, policy news, and other critical issues related to addiction and substance use.
SAMHSA's email updates- provide real-time information about:
The SAMHSA Prevention Core Competencies - The new report, Prevention Core Competencies, marks the first time that competencies and knowledge, skills, and abilities are being described for the field of substance use prevention. The competencies and accompanying knowledge, skills, and abilities offer professional direction to the prevention field, affecting staff development and career ladders and pipelines, and providing guidance for training programs and service delivery qualification.
SAMHSA Prevention Resources Catalog - The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention is pleased to share this 2023 collection of practical, evidence-based approaches to preventing substance misuse, with special sections focused on messages for young people and Spanish-language materials. Unless otherwise noted, all resources in this catalog are available for free from the SAMHSA website.
