SAFE Encourages National Prevention Week

SAFE encourages Glen Cove Residents to get involved in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMSHA) eighth annual National Prevention Week (NPW), May 13th - May 19th. Each year, communities and organizations across the country come together to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. This annual event aims at increasing public awareness and prevention of mental and/or substance use disorders. This week sends a positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health and that prevention works.

This year’s theme is “Action Today. Healthier Tomorrow.” The three primary goals of NPW are to involve communities in raising awareness about behavioral health issues and implementing prevention strategies; foster partnerships and collaboration with federal agencies and national organizations dedicated to behavioral and public health; and promote and disseminate quality behavioral health resources and publications.

NPW is held each year during the third week of May - near the start of summer, an important time for school, communities, and prevention professionals to re-focus on prevention. Adolescents and full-time college students most often use substances for the first time during June or July, according to a SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The timing of NPW provides an opportunity for schools and organizations to host prevention-themed events before the school year ends, raising awareness about this important issue among students and their families. These are key periods of social transitions, a risk factor for youth substance use, and an opportunity to develop or strengthen the community, school, and family bonds that protect young people from substance use.

In keeping with NPW, on May 14th the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition hosted a presentation by Mr. Steve Chassman, Executive Director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency (LICAAD) at Glen Cove City Hall.

Another prevention initiative is scheduled for May 31st -June 1st where SAFE, in partnership with the Tobacco Action Coalition and the Glen Cove School District, will celebrate “Word No Tobacco Day” at the Glen Cove Middle School. This event initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the world.

For more information on how to get involved visit SAMHSA at http://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/about. For more information about LICADD please visit www.licadd.org. To learn about the TAC please visit www.breathefreely.org. For further information on SAFE, the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition and it initiatives please visit www.safeglencove.org or follow us on: www.facebook.com/safeglencovecoalition.