Deliver the scientific facts about drug abuse to teens during National Drug Facts
Presented by
Dr. Sheri Grabus
Latonya Harris
Tuesday, October 29, 2013 - 12:45
2014 marks the 4th annual National Drug Facts Week (NDFW), a health observance created by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to deliver the scientific facts to youth about the effects of drug abuse on the brain, body and behavior. More than 500 educational events and activities will be held by high schools, community centers, juvenile justice systems, treatment centers, prevention programs and other organizations across the country to shatter the myths about drugs and addiction:
- “Marijuana isn’t addictive”
- “Prescription drugs aren’t dangerous because we get them from doctors”
- “Using drugs that aren’t prescribed to you is legal and you can’t get in trouble from it”
- “Treatment doesn’t work”
Learn how easy it is to organize your own National Drug Facts Week educational event in your community and utilize NIDA’s free materials, such as the Shatter the Myths booklet and the National Drug IQ Challenge.
About the presenter(s):
Dr. Sheri Grabus joined the Office of Science Policy and Communications (OSPC) in November 2010 as the NIDA Deputy Press Officer and began managing the press team in early 2013, bringing a strong science background to NIDA’s media outreach efforts. Sheri was trained as a neuroscientist and has a Ph.D. from American University in Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience. She has also taught at the college level—including courses in psychology, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and she has lectured on drug dependence, pharmacology and drugs and pain control.
Latonya Harris is the project director for Reclaiming Futures at the Lucas County Juvenile Treatment Court. LaTonya began her career at the Lucas County Youth Treatment Center as a Resident Specialist. In 2005 she became a Juvenile Probation Officer monitoring offenders within the community, working collaboratively with agencies, and facilitating treatment groups. In 2010 she became the Coordinator for the Lucas County Juvenile Treatment Court and in 2012 took on the additional role of project director for Reclaiming Futures and became a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA). She is a Leaders Emerging and Developing (L.E.A.D.) program graduate and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
An Introduction to the Recovery Month Toolkit
Presented by
Ivette A. Torres, MEd., M.S., Associate Director for Consumer Affairs
Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 13:00
For the 23rd year, September is designated Recovery Month by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This year Recovery Month continues to promote the critical message that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover. Our theme “Join the Voices for Recovery: It’s Worth It,” emphasizes that while the road to recovery may be difficult, the benefits of preventing and overcoming mental and/or substance use disorders are significant and valuable to individuals, families, and communities.
SAMHSA created the toolkit to educate people that those in recovery achieve healthy lifestyles, both physically and emotionally, and contribute in positive ways to their communities. The toolkit assists in planning Recovery Month events and provides tools and educational materials to distribute in communities and during local events. On July 19th, Ivette Torres, Associate Director for Consumer Affairs at SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) will introduce us to the tools and resources available within the toolkit and answer your questions about how to make the best use of the toolkit and Recovery Month. You can find more information about recovery month and download the toolkit at recoverymonth.gov.
About the presenter(s):
Ivette Torres is the Associate Director for Consumer Affairs at CSAT. Ms. Torres oversees the CSAT team responsible for generating and disseminating substance abuse treatment information to SAMHSA’s mission-related constituents. She develops national communication strategies and campaigns including the observance of the National Alcohol and Drug Recovery Month, celebrated each September.
Above the Influence
Presented by
Mark Krawczyk, Office of National Drug Control Policy
Sandy Olson, Coalition of Behavioral Health Services Houston
Kay Crockett, Coalition of Behavioral Health Services Houston
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - 13:15
During the Reclaiming Futures Webinar, The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign’s Mark Krawczyk will talk through the refreshed “Above the Influence” campaign toolkit, provide you instruction on how to implement the two new youth activities featured in the toolkit — “Be It” and “Bring It” – and answer any questions you may have during this discussion. Coalition Behavioral Health Services Houston, will also present on their experience with ATI.
About the presenter(s):
Mark Krawczyk is the Acting Director of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, a key Federal drug prevention program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy that partners with communities to provide new, locally tailored drug prevention resources for teens and parents.
Sandy Olson and Kay Crockett are with The Coalition of Behavioral Health Services is a 501(c)(3) corporation that unites organizations and individuals in Houston and Harris County, Texas, who have an interest in working to confront local substance abuse issues through the use of community-based strategies for prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery. Approximately 50 organizations and individuals are currently active in the Coalition.
