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.

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The National Hispanic and Latino PTTC are excited to announce the translation of SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework guide from English to Spanish. The original English and translated Spanish versions are available to download.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy launched a campaign to educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and the life-saving effects of Naloxone.

The campaign builds on the Ad Council’s existing Real Deal on Fentanyl platform to highlight the importance of carrying Naloxone and encourage young people to learn how to use and find Naloxone in their communities. Examples of the campaign, including influencer videos on social media and digital billboards, can be viewed HERE and HERE. 

Modules 1- 4 available now! Introduction to Prevention Core Competencies for Prevention Professionals professionals.

The course will introduce practitioners to the essentials of substance use and misuse prevention. It is based on the Prevention Core Competencies published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The six-module, self-paced course provides a foundation for service delivery based on prevention science and evidence-based practices. It strengthens the understanding of effective planning and implementation and encourages the pursuit of more specialized training and professional development.

You MUST complete all 6 modules to receive a certificate of completion and credit for finishing the course. Modules 5-6 expected soon.

Visit PTTC’s e-learning platform HealtheKnowledge.org to enroll in the course.