Substance Abuse & Prevention Program recognizes National Prevention Week

Our North Center’s Substance Abuse & Prevention Program recognized National Prevention Week by engaging youth in the community around drug abuse prevention!

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) observes National Prevention Week each May to increasing public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and mental health issues.

We kicked off the week with students at Marine Leadership Academy making t-shirts with messages about why they choose not to use drugs. Students were allowed to be out of dress-code to wear the t-shirts to school and hand out bookmarks listing drug-free ways to relax.

Program staff, alongside our Youth Advisory Committee, led a Zumba for Prevention event bringing awareness to opioid misuse and prevention. Youth at Marine Leadership Academy participated in Zumba, learned about the dangers of opioid misuse, and shared positive ways to stay active this summer while avoiding using drugs – like doing Zumba!

National Prevention Week 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.