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Yakima, WA - 10/26/09 - National, state and community drug prevention leaders will gather in Yakima to share research and proven strategies for preventing youth substance abuse at the Washington State Drug Prevention Summit, which opens Friday, October 30.
“Alcohol and other drug use has a great impact on the developing brain, putting youth at higher risk for addiction, serious injuries, failing in school, and death,” said David Dickinson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery in the Department of Social and Health Services. “By bringing national, state and community partners together to collaborate, we can make a greater impact in keeping youth and families healthy and safe.”
The Summit will open Friday at 8 a.m. at the Yakima Convention Center with a presentation by Michael Lowther, senior prevention advisor for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Lowther will outline President Obama’s vision for prevention.
A youth rally will take place outside the convention center on Friday from 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. Youth will work on community service projects in Yakima neighborhoods and receive several leadership presentations. Miss Washington, Devanni Partridge, will be the Youth Leadership Track Master of Ceremonies.
Lt. Governor Brad Owen will present Exemplary Prevention Awards at noon on Friday, honoring the following people and programs:
- Volunteer Award: Ron Groff, Davenport
- Collaboration Award: Cynthia Schroeder and Diana Nulliner, Battle Ground
- Youth Leadership Award: Armani Emmal, Naches
- Youth Project Award: Student Awareness Movement – SAM Club, Pomeroy
- Youth Volunteer Award: V.O.I.C.E (Voicing Our Ideas, Challenging Everyone) Youth Coalition, Sedro Woolley.
More than 500 youth leaders, parents and professionals working in prevention, treatment, education and law enforcement are expected to attend. Participants will learn how to create long-term healthy changes in their families and communities by understanding the effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drug misuse and learning how to provide culturally appropriate programs.
The conference will end at 12:30 p.m. Saturday with the presentation Inspiring Leadership for a Multicultural Age.
The summit is open to the public. To register and get additional information, visit http://www.preventionsummit.org/. Attendees may also register at the event.
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Contact:
Jim Stevenson
Communications, HRSA, DSHS
360-725-1915
Jennifer Gau
Department of Social and Health Services
Public Affairs
360-902-7829
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