Prevention Awards of Excellence Now Accepting Nominations
The 2026 Prevention Awards of Excellence are an opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations for their dedication and contributions to the Prevention field. Learn about the awards.
Please take the time to nominate a colleague, young person, program or organization in the following award categories:
- Tribal Prevention
- Youth Leadership
- Young Adult Leadership
- Professional, Prevention supporter, or Lifetime Achievement
- Community Coalition and/or Community Prevention Group
- Contributions to Prevention by an Organization, Business, or Agency
- Outreach or Implementation of a Prevention Program
- Early-Career Prevention Professional
Submit a nomination today! We will celebrate awardees and their successes at the award ceremony during the Prevention Summit.
Read the full announcement on the Athena Forum for nomination guidance.
DBHR celebrates SAMHSA site visit
 The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is proud to have participated in a four-day programmatic site visit conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on April 20-23, 2026, reviewing substance use disorder prevention services. The visit was an excellent opportunity to highlight the work the DBHR leads in the state in cooperation with Tribes, state partner agencies, universities, counties, Educational Service Districts (ESDs) and schools, communities, other entities and prevention professionals.
The site visit was primarily held to review compliance of prevention initiatives but beyond compliance, it was an opportunity to showcase the exceptional work happening throughout Washington. We are happy to report that SAMSHA was pleased with Washington’s prevention infrastructure and services.
Read the full announcement on the Athena Forum.
WASAVP schedules pharmacology webinar, "What Preventionists Need To Know About Sedatives (Including Alcohol)"
To update the prevention field on sedative drugs (including alcohol), the Washington Association for Substance Misuse and Violence Prevention (WASAVP) is offering a training on June 4, 2026 from 1–3 p.m.
Register on Eventbrite. The workshop costs $120, including registration, fees and Washington State sales tax.
Read the full announcement on the Athena Forum.
Addressing Cannabis Use Disorder in Primary Care Settings
SAMHSA has issued a new advisory, Addressing Cannabis Use Disorder in Primary Care Settings — A Lifespan Approach. This Advisory is intended for healthcare providers, including pediatricians, adolescent medicine specialists, primary care providers, and geriatricians.
This Advisory addresses Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) across the lifespan, discusses CUD evidence-based treatment, differentiates the effects of psychoactive and non-psychoactive cannabinoids, and identifies cannabis-induced psychosis.
Read the Advisory to learn more.
2025 Workforce Assessment Report available
The Northwest PTTC conducts an annual assessment of the training and technical assistance needs of the prevention workforce. This report shares results of the 2025 Needs Assessment, based on qualitative listening sessions with leaders and practitioners in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Download the report to view assessment results.
Centralia Middle School students ask council for fewer advertisements for alcohol, tobacco, and other substances
A group of Centralia Middle School students is concerned about how ever-present advertising for tobacco and alcohol products might affect them and their peers. Ten students from the Centralia Middle School Prevention Club visited the Centralia City Council on May 12, 2026 to discuss the impacts of advertising for nicotine products and other addictive or harmful substances.
The student presentation amounted to a call to action for the five present Centralia city councilors to help curb prevalent advertising for these products.
Read the full announcement on the Athena Forum.
East Valley Middle School Hope Squad receives James Chase award for Social Advocacy
Several regional Hope Squads and advisors were recognized at this year’s Chase Youth Awards, an evening celebrating youth leadership, social advocacy and the adults who help students create meaningful change in their schools and communities.
The awards highlighted the impact of student-led peer leadership across the region, including nominations for Hope Squads at Ferris High School and Lewis & Clark High School Hope Squad in the Leadership category, as well as East Valley Middle School, Highland Middle School and Mountainside Middle School in the Social Advocacy category.
Read the full announcement by ESD 101.
Young leaders represent Washington on the CADCA National Youth Council
HCA applauds two young leaders, Joselyn Guajardo and Mudra Machewad, recently welcomed as members of CADCA's National Youth Council, a select group of young leaders ages 15-18 who are shaping the future of substance misuse prevention.
These emerging leaders were selected for their demonstrated commitment to prevention work and their leadership in their schools and communities. Between February 2026 and July 2027, they will collaborate with coalitions nationwide, contributing to the tools and trainings that support Drug-Free Communities coalitions in engaging youth.
Read the full CADCA announcement.
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