Each year, national, state and community drug prevention leaders gather to share successful strategies for keeping young people healthy and drug-free at the Washington State Drug Prevention Summit.

"The Department of Social and Health Services is pleased to partner with other state agencies to support schools and communities in delivering effective strategies to prevent the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs," said Doug Porter, assistant secretary of the DSHS Health and Recovery Services Administration.

"Washington’s investment in prevention is working – it helps more youth stay healthy and succeed in school, and prevents the devastating impact that drug misuse and addiction can have on families and communities."

Brad Barton, an NCAA All-American, 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, Prevention Specialist and magician, opened last year’s summit at the Yakima Convention Center. The summit’s theme, created by a Washington teen, is "Keep Life Fresher, Don’t Give in to Pressure." The summit featured workshops for youth to complete a team project and a youth rally. The workshop’s maintained an underlying theme of team work and drug prevention

"Young people are uniquely qualified to educate their peers about the dangers of underage drinking, tobacco, prescription and illicit drug use," said Attorney General Rob McKenna, who also participated in the summit rally.

The summit included more than 30 workshops and presentations on drug prevention for a variety of audiences, including parents, youth, prevention and treatment professionals, educators and law enforcement officials. Participants learned how to create long-term, healthy changes in their families and communities, by understanding the effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drug misuse, reducing the impact of alcohol and tobacco marketing, recognizing the risks of gambling, and learning how to provide culturally appropriate programs.

Lt. Governor Brad Owen presented Exemplary Prevention Awards, honoring effective programs and dedicated individuals of drug prevention groups around the state. Last year’s winners were:

  • Ann Gloe and Bethe Miller – Selah School District
  • Larry Gleason – Spokane County Community Services
  • Linda DuBois – Meridian School District, Seattle
  • Sunnyside High School Leadership Class – Sunnyside
  • Skykomish High School Prevention Club – Skykomish
  • Shelton High School and Oakland Bay Junior High School SADD Clubs – Shelton
  • Jack Wilson – Snohomish County

Sheriff’s Community-Oriented Policing Effort (S.C.O.P.E.) volunteers, Spokane: Shirley Prewitt, Sally Gorder, Dorothea Marshall, Kathleen Demakas, Florence Weston, and Marilyn Miller

The summit is sponsored by several state agencies, including the Department of Social and Health Services and the Office of the Attorney General. To register and get additional information about the yearly Summit, which is open to the public, visit http://dasa.casat.org.  Attendees may also register at the drug prevention event.