National Prevention Week is an effort to bring communities together to raise public awareness concerning substance abuse and mental health issues. This national observance, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will be May 12-18, 2019. This is the perfect time for everyone to come together and rally around prevention. Community agencies and coalitions are using this time to educate the public about the importance of preventing substance abuse and mental disorders BEFORE they occur.

This year’s theme – Inspiring Action. Changing Lives. – reminds us that we can all inspire positive change throughout the year. Every day, whether we make healthy choices for ourselves or inspire others to do so, the small actions we take can change lives for the better.

National Prevention Week is held each year during the third week of May, near the start of summer. Summer is a season filled with celebrations and recreational activities where substance use and abuse can happen, such as graduation parties, proms, weddings, sporting events, and outdoor activities. National Prevention Week is timed to allow schools to take part in prevention-themed events before the school year ends. During the National Prevention Week, the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council’s (ADAC) Youth Prevention departments and the P.A.R.T.Y. department (Preventing Abuse by Reaching Today’s Youth) will be participating in several events because PREVENTION WORKS!

To learn more about National Prevention Week you can contact the Region 5 Prevention Resource Center toll-free at 1-844-772-3483 or log on to the National Prevention Week website: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week.

 

Kyeisha Foreman

Community Liaison

Region 5 Prevention Resource Center of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Deep East Texas