Local Events Shine a Spotlight on Prevention

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 06, 2016

May 15-21, 2016, is National Prevention Week, an annual observance to increase public awareness and action around mental health and substance use disorders. This year's theme is "Strong as One. Stronger Together."

"We know from years of research that prevention is much more effective than treating a problem after it is already there," says Betty Merritt, alcohol and drug prevention coordinator with Washington County. "We encourage all schools, community-based organizations, behavioral health coalitions and parents to get involved in prevention efforts this week."

Several public events are taking place in Washington County before and during Prevention Week:

• May 9: Tall Cop Says Stop Education Forum. Police Officer Jermaine Galloway will lead discussions about emerging alcohol and drug trends in our area. Colossae Church, 12244 SW Garden Place, Tigard, 6-8 p.m.
• May 10: Quarterly meeting of the ACEs Initiative. ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. Sarina Rodrigues Saturn, Ph.D., professor at the University of Portland, will discuss how emotions are mapped onto the brain, and how pro-social emotional states can counteract the damage caused by stress and trauma. Washington County Public Services Building, 155 N. First Ave, Hillsboro, 10 a.m. –noon.
• May 11: Tall Cop Says Stop Education Forum. Police Officer Jermaine Galloway will lead discussions about emerging alcohol and drug trends in our area. Sunset High School,13840 NW Cornell Rd, Beaverton, 7 p.m.
• May 16-20: Stop by the main lobby of the Public Services Building at 155 N. First Street in Hillsboro for an informational display about Washington County's prevention efforts.
• May 18: Town hall meeting to prevent underage drinking sponsored by HEY! (Hillsboro Empowers Youth). Century High School Commons, 2000 SE Century Blvd, Hillsboro, 6-7:30 p.m.
• May 19: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR –Suicide Prevention Training). 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Sherwood. For more details and to sign up, call 503-742-5962.
• Anytime: Are you ready to quit using tobacco? Contact the Oregon Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or online at www.quitnow.net/Oregon.

Here are a few interesting facts from prevention programs at Washington County:

• Teens consistently say parents are the biggest influence on their decisions about substance use.
• Hookah tobacco is addictive, contains nicotine and can cause lung cancer, heart disease and other complications, just like cigarettes.
• More Americans die by suicide each year than are killed by car accidents. Suicide is preventable. The Washington County Crisis Line is 503-291-9111.
• Adverse Childhood Experiences have been linked to risky health behaviors, chronic health conditions and early death. As the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for these outcomes.
• Sixty-seven percent of Washington County 11th graders say at least one parent talked to them about the dangers of substance use, but only 35% discussed the risks of gambling.

For more information about National Prevention Week, visit www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week. 

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