Crook County participates in National Prevention Week

National Prevention Week is an annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness and action around substance use prevention and the promotion of positive mental health. This year, this national initiative, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will take place May 9 to 15.

Here in Crook County, our Prevention program is supported by the Be Well Coalition, a group of community members that work together with Prevention Specialist Katie Allen.

Why does prevention matter? Because when the community works together on suicide prevention and substance misuse issues, we can help save the lives of our friends, family and neighbors.

To raise awareness of substance use and mental health issues, the Be Well Coalition implements prevention strategies that showcase the effectiveness of evidence-based prevention programs. They provide resources to the community such as DeTerra pouches for safe and biodegradable disposal of expired or unused medications.

They also offer training opportunities from suicide prevention, mental health first aid, drug impairment and tobacco cessation.

Each year, National Prevention Week incorporates daily health themes to focus on pressing substance use topics. The 2021 daily health themes are: preventing prescription drug and opioid misuse; preventing underage drinking and alcohol misuse; preventing illicit drug use and youth marijuana use; preventing youth tobacco use (e-cigarettes and vaping); and, preventing suicide. Each day you can learn more at facebook.com/bewellcoalition.

The public is invited to an open house on Friday May 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the basement of the Crook County Courthouse to learn more about the prevention activities here in Crook County. The Be Well Coalition will be meeting and everyone is invited to attend. For more information, please visit http://www.crookcountyprevention.com or call 307-290-0424.