Prevention Network staff on a scavenger hunt in downtown Lansing, MI.

Letter From the Director

Dear Prevention Professionals,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. We have several exciting updates to share as we move into the height of summer. First, I’d like to draw your attention to the upcoming Michigan SUD Prevention Coalitions Conference on July 25. This event promises to be an excellent opportunity for learning and networking. Additionally, we encourage you to participate in the valuable webinars hosted by MYCN, MCRUD, PDO, and the MIHEN. These sessions offer a wealth of knowledge and resources to support your prevention efforts. We also offer MCBAP prevention CEUs for all of these events!! Check out our calendar for more. 

As we continue to shape our future initiatives, your input is crucial. Please take a moment to complete our feedback survey, which is open until August 2. Your responses will play a vital role in guiding our decisions moving forward.

Our staff have been diligently planning for the upcoming year, attending numerous meetings, conferences, and networking events to stay at the forefront of prevention strategies. We’re also working hard to update our website and share new resources to support your work. If you need any assistance or have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly or submit a request through our TA request form. We’re here to help and are deeply grateful for the incredible work you’re doing in your communities. Your dedication to prevention makes a significant impact, and we’re honored to support your efforts.

With you in prevention,

Louise Montag, Executive Director

Message from Program Coordinator Mike Tobias:

 

Summer is in full swing and I hope you are enjoying it. Whether you like camping, biking, hiking, disc golfing, boating, etc…our great state offers something for everyone. Get out there today and enjoy Michigan and before you know it, fall will be here.

I hope you can join us for both of our remaining FY24 MCRUD general meetings, which are July 23 and August 27 from 9-10:30 a.m. During our July meeting, we are pleased to have Megan Crainer (Livingston County Community Alliance) present on Story Book Marketing. Our August 27 meeting will feature guest speaker Sarah Konefal (MPHI). 

MCRUD is also hosting a lunch and learn webinar on August 22 from 12-1pm. Jim Fell will be presenting the webinar, “Responsible Beverage Service Training and Enforcement: Does it work?” Click here for additional information and registration.

 

Lastly, please consider becoming a MCRUD member. Click here to see our membership packet, and I hope to see you at a MCRUD meeting or event soon!

 

We value your feedback and invite you to participate in the Prevention Network Feedback Survey if you haven’t already!

 

Click here to take the survey.

 

This is your chance to honestly tell us how we are doing as an organization and how we might improve. The survey is completely anonymous and takes about 5 minutes to complete. While we encourage you to answer as many questions as you feel comfortable, all questions are optional and can be skipped. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@preventionnetwork.org.

 

As a thank you for participating, you will be entered to win one of the following:

  • A complimentary registration to a Prevention Network hosted conference or training (such as Prevention Ethics, PAM Conference, SUD Prevention Coalitions Conference, MCRUD Shoalition, MIHEN conference, etc.)
  • A prevention gift basket from Prevention Network

 

After submitting the survey, you will see a link to share your contact information. This will only be used to select the winner and is not connected to the survey. The survey will close on August 2 at 5 pm, and winners will be announced by August 9. Thank you for helping us improve!

This section highlights upcoming events such as webinars, conferences, and workshops, providing you with valuable opportunities to engage with experts, learn new strategies, and network with peers, ultimately fostering collaboration and advancing knowledge in the prevention field. Check out events coming up in the next 3 months below:

See the full calendar of events here.

  • MCRUD General Meeting — July 23rd, 2024 — Join the Michigan Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking general membership quarterly meeting to share updates from across the state about factors impacting our shared efforts to prevent underage alcohol use. Click here to join!
  • 2024 Michigan SUD Prevention Coalitions Conference — July 25th, 2024 — Get ready for dynamic speakers, interactive exhibitors, and the opportunity to connect with others across the state of Michigan and beyond. The theme for 2024 is R.I.C.H – Respect. Inform. Connect. Hope. We expect this conference to encourage and inspire professionals who are passionate about preventing substance misuse disorders in Michigan. Join us, we can’t wait to see you there! Click here for more info!
  • F.F.U.N. (Fourth Friday Unwind & Network) Coalition Support Group – July 26th, 2024 – Open to anyone who is part of or interested in becoming part of a community-based coalition addressing substance misuse prevention. Special invitation to current coalition coordinators. We will use this time to address common challenges and share tools both old and new. Feel free to enjoy your own lunch during this relaxed group. Join us here!
  • 2024 National Meeting (for those working in higher education) — July 30th, 2024 – August 1st, 2024— The conference experience offers a blend of educational opportunities, networking, and collaborative experiences for which the conference is known. It is an ideal conference for those working within the alcohol and drug continuum with college students, including both prevention and recovery. Visit the conference web page to learn more: https://hecaod.osu.edu/national-meeting/
  • PDO Webinar – August 7th, 2024—Empowering Prevention: Understanding Substance Use Disorders and Promoting Recovery Pathways. Join us to learn common SUD terminology, risk and protective factors, and recovery resources, including local resources provided by FAN ( Face Addiction Now, formerly known as Families Against Narcotics). Click here to register!
  • Alcohol Policy Issues Meeting – August 12th, 2024 – Every month on the second Monday at 10 AM, people across Michigan meet to discuss alcohol policy and local changes that impact access and availability with the goal of preventing substance misuse and reducing the negative impacts on public health. 
  • PAM Webinar – August 21st, 2024 – But Men Don’t Do Feelings! Using Mindful Techniques With Male Caregivers to Improve Their Relationships. Learn ways to help fathers and male caregivers pay attention to stress triggers during times of conflict, frustration and disagreement; especially in times of receiving overwhelming news. Click here to register!
  • F.F.U.N. (Fourth Friday Unwind & Network) Coalition Support Group – August 23rd, 2024 – Open to anyone who is part of or interested in becoming part of a community-based coalition addressing substance misuse prevention. Special invitation to current coalition coordinators. We will use this time to address common challenges and share tools both old and new. Feel free to enjoy your own lunch during this relaxed group. Join us here!
  • MCRUD General Meeting – August 27th, 2024 – Join Michigan Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking general membership quarterly meeting to share updates from across the state about factors impacting our shared efforts to prevent underage alcohol use.
  • PFS Coalition Support & Networking – August 27th & 28th, 2024 – Quarterly opportunity for anyone working with coalitions on substance misuse prevention in Michigan to gather and share. Click here to join!
  • Prevention Ethics – August 29th, 2024 – Join us, Prevention Network, and Eaton RESA to learn about the ethics in prevention work. Gain insight on how to navigate through ethical dilemmas by utilizing a decision-making model! Click here to register!
  • Alcohol Policy Issues Meeting – September 9th, 2024 – Every month on the second Monday at 10 AM, people across Michigan meet to discuss alcohol policy and local changes that impact access and availability with the goal of preventing substance misuse and reducing the negative impacts on public health. 
  • MIHEN Meeting – September 12th, 2024 – These quarterly meetings allow for those of us working in prevention in higher education to come together and discuss how we can work as one to prevent substance misuse on our campuses. Click here to join!
  • F.F.U.N. (Fourth Friday Unwind & Network) Coalition Support Group – September 27th, 2024 – Open to anyone who is part of or interested in becoming part of a community-based coalition addressing substance misuse prevention. Special invitation to current coalition coordinators. We will use this time to address common challenges and share tools both old and new. Feel free to enjoy your own lunch during this relaxed group. Join us here!

If you haven’t already check out the following featured resources! To see a list of all new resources added to the resource library, see this link.

CADCA Releases Their CADCA Congressional Election Guide 2024

 

The CADCA Election Guide gives you the tools you need to raise and address prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery issues at campaign events around the country.

The CADCA Guide includes the following information:

  • Candidates for the President of the United States and their Contact Information (page 3).
  • How to raise drug misuse and underage drinking issues with the candidates (page 4)
  • Sample questions to get the candidates on record (pages 5-7)
  • The Election Center (Appendix 1) (pages 7-11)
  • Points of Contact for State Boards of Elections (Appendix 2) (pages 12-16)
  • A follow-up survey to document the candidates’ positions (Appendix 3) (pages 17-18)
  • A summary of relevant federal tax and election laws for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (Appendix 4) (page 19)

CADCA’s hope is that coalitions around the country will use this guide to let as many candidates as possible running for office in 2024 know that they must seriously address alcohol, nicotine and drug issues as part of their campaigns. In that way, the winners of these elections will know these issues are of great concern to their constituents when they take office.

 

Click here to download the guide.

The ARDI or Alcohol-Related Disease Impact application now includes data from 2020-2021!

 

ARDI or Alcohol-Related Disease Impact, is an online application that provides national and state estimates of alcohol-related health impacts, including deaths and years of potential life lost (YPLL). These estimates are calculated for 58 acute and chronic causes using alcohol-attributable fractions, and are reported by age and sex. By using ARDI, you can find your state’s fact sheet for addressing excessive alcohol use.

 

Click here to use the application.

 

The Prevention Network newsletter delivers timely and comprehensive state and national updates, covering the latest news, research findings, and best practices in the prevention field, ensuring you stay well-informed and equipped to address emerging challenges and opportunities in your prevention efforts. Check out some national and state updates below:

Michigan Suicide Prevention Plan: A Systems Level Approach to Preventing Suicide

“Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death overall in the nation and in Michigan for 2001–2020. In 2022, on average, one person died by suicide every six hours in our state. We must act now to reverse this trend. Suicide must be addressed in a comprehensive, collaborative, and coordinated way.

The Plan will be used to guide statewide, multisectoral efforts to decrease fatal and non-fatal suicidal behavior. The proposed strategies, based on the most current data and research available, will serve as a framework for coordinated and complimentary suicide prevention efforts across Michigan. ”

 

Click here to view the plan and read more from Sarah Lyon-Callo, Senior Deputy Director/State Epidemiologist

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month!

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and its Federal Action Plan. Developed with input from over 20 federal agencies, the strategy offers a comprehensive, society-wide approach to address the urgent public health crisis of suicide, which claimed over 49,000 lives in the U.S. in 2022. It includes 200 specific actions aimed at improving prevention, intervention, and recovery services, with a focus on integrating suicide prevention into various community systems and prioritizing equity for disproportionately affected populations. This coordinated effort emphasizes the importance of partnerships and lived experience in creating effective, data-driven strategies to reduce suicide rates nationwide.

 

Click here to read the full article. 

The Michigan legislature isn’t back in session until the end of July. You can find the Senate session calendar here. Below are a few bills we are following.

 

  • US S 4226 A bill to decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes. 
    • Last action: May 01, 2024, Senate: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • MI SB 807 Marihuana: other; individuals who are 19 years of age or older; allow to be employed by or volunteer for marihuana establishments. Amends title & secs. 4, 5, 10 & 11 of 2018 IL 1 (MCL 333.27954 et seq.). 
    •  Last action: Apr 09, 2024, Senate: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY AFFAIRS
  • MI SB 730 Liquor: retail sales; displaying co-branded alcoholic beverages adjacent to certain products; prohibit. Amends 1998 PA 58 (MCL 436.1101 – 436.2303) by adding sec. 609k. 

 

Last action: Jun 26, 2024: House referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform

Thank you for reviewing Prevention Network’s newsletter! If you have any feedback regarding this newsletter or ideas for our next newsletter, please email us at info@preventionnetwork.org. Lastly, a special thanks to Prevention Network’s Board of Trustees for supporting our mission, vision, and goals.