PHOTO: People celebrate NPW by participating in Saving Others For
Archie’s 5th Annual Jump for Archie.
In particular, the initiative has:
2019
• Coordinated “soft launches” for NPW at SAMHSA’s Prevention
Day, sharing data and inviting participants to engage with the
Prevention Action Center—an area where people can take photos,
participate in a social media challenge, and learn about SAMHSA’s
prevention resources.
“National Prevention Week shows us each year that there are tremendous
examples of prevention efforts taking root at the local level.”
— DR. ELINORE McCANCE-KATZ Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
CLICK HERE TO WATCH NPW KICK-OFF VIDEO
Ready to Inspire Action and Change Lives
Making sure people realize that prevention is not only possible but is taking place every day through small and large actions has
been the goal of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Prevention Week (NPW) since
the observance began in 2012.
Held each year in May, NPW provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities around the country to get “in
the weeds” in their neighborhoods, online communities, and other venues to tell stories, teach, and learn about how to make a
difference in community health.
It hasn’t always been an easy task, especially when it comes to substance use; some communities aren’t fully prepared to deal with
an issue until it’s too large to ignore.
Over the past few years, SAMHSA has worked hard to turn that tide and nurture prevention efforts in every corner of the nation.
Recently, the agency has channeled new energy toward smart, strategic efforts that have leveraged the work of those in the
prevention field, leadership at SAMHSA and in other divisions, and private sector partners to show the impact of substances and
convey that there is, in fact, power in prevention.
2
2019 OUTCOMES REPORT
• Reached new audiences by fostering partnerships and
collaborations with federal agencies and national organizations
dedicated to behavioral and public health, keeping them tuned in
to NPW planning and activities throughout the year.
• Built capacity for those in the field to implement prevention
strategies by creating a robust webinar series, maintaining a
detailed website, and developing essential tools such as the NPW
Planning Guide and Resource Calendar.
DAILY HEALTH
THEMES
MONDAY Preventing
Prescription Drug
and Opioid Misuse
TUESDAY Preventing
Underage Drinking
and Alcohol Misuse
WEDNESDAY Preventing Illicit
Drug Use and Youth
Marijuana Use
• Designed a Prevention Challenge that encouraged organizations
and individuals alike to identify a Prevention Champion, resulting
in a unique digital mosaic. THURSDAY Preventing Youth
Tobacco Use
(E-Cigarettes and
Vaping)
Some communities may be struggling with the opioid crisis; others
may be grappling with mental illness and suicide rates. Whatever they
are dealing with, NPW brings their year-round efforts to light via a one-
week observance that encourages us all to consider what life can look
like when we focus on prevention. FRIDAY Preventing Suicide
• Promoted and disseminated quality resources and publications,
particularly the Tips for Teens series, which explores emerging
substances and challenges such as opioids and e-cigarettes,
and shareable data visualizations featuring data on specific
substances.
2019 OUTCOMES REPORT
3