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Advocacy is Not a Spectator Sport
Part Two in a Three-Part Series on Policy in Prevention
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By Anne Roberts
Years ago, the federal government attempted to save money in the school lunch program by counting ketchup as a vegetable. The proposed change was published, by law, in the Federal Register. A small anti-hunger organization noticed the change. Using the media to publicize the issue, they urged parents, teachers, nutritionists, and ordinary citizens to express their views. By the thousands, they did: soon the government was flooded with outraged letters of comment. The result: the proposed regulations were rewritten (ketchup was NOT counted as a vegetable) and public support for the school lunch program remains solid to this day! Read Anne's recommendations for advocating change in your community.
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Anne Roberts is a lifelong advocate for the health and well-being of children and youth, having served for 20 years as CEO for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, followed by 10 years at INTEGRIS Health as Director of Legislative Affairs. In these roles, she was a registered lobbyist and worked with state and national policymakers to advance positive changes for Oklahoma families. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma. |
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Additional Resources: Preparing to Meet Your Legislator |
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As you plan and prepare to meet with your legislator, we recommend reviewing these amazing previously recorded South Southwest PTTC products. These will guide you as you develop effective data sheets to help you educate your legislator about the substance misuse issues and recommendations for your community or state.
Click on the image to the right to access the playlist.
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Xylazine: An Emerging Threat
By Iris Smith, Ph.D.
On July 11, 2023, xylazine was classified as an emerging threat by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. Provisional data from the CDC indicated that 68% of the reported 107,081 drug overdose deaths in the United States involved synthetic opioids other than methadone.1 Since 2019 xylazine has been increasingly identified in overdose deaths. A recent study of 21 jurisdictions found that the monthly percentage of deaths implicating xylazine increased 276% between January 2019 and June 2022, with the highest rates reported in the Northeast. All regions, unfortunately, saw an increase from 2020-2021. 2 Read more...
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The Growing Threat of Xylazine and Its Mixture with Illicit Street Drugs
Learn more about xylazine and its impact on public health. This South Southwest PTTC webinar delivered in November reviews the history of US street drug markets since the early 1990s to explain the emergence of xylazine, fentanyl, and crystal methamphetamine in regional markets formerly dominated by heroin and cocaine. It examines the relationship between each of these newly prevalent synthetic substances and describes what we know so far about their impact on related comorbidities.
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What's Happening Around the Region? |
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Unraveling Connections: Social Determinants of Health and Substance Misuse Prevention
January 25, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. MT / 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CT / 2:00 -3:30 p.m. ET
Designed for prevention professionals, this session will unravel the complex connections between social determinants and substance misuse while providing actionable strategies for addressing these issues at the community level.
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The Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) is hiring!
Full-time, remote work
The Training & Technical Assistance Specialist for the Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center is responsible for moving training and consultation sessions from conceptualization, through development and delivery, and on to post-production.
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The National Suicide Prevention Resource Center is hiring!
Full-time, remote work
The Best Practices Registry Senior Project Manager will manage the Best Practices Registry (BPR) program administration overseeing resources, processes and procedures, and staff and consultants.
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Support During the Holidays - Holiday Toolkit
The holiday season can be filled with joy and celebrations. This time of year can also trigger difficult emotions, thoughts, or behaviors—which can affect your mental health and use of substances (including alcohol). Remind your friends, family, and communities that confidential support is available 24/7 for both mental health and substance use.
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FentAlert: Empowering Youth for Safer Choices - SAMHSA Fentanyl Awareness Youth Challenge
Deadline: February 26, 2024
This challenge seeks the best ideas from U.S. youth, aged 14-18, on a community strategy to increase youth awareness, education, and prevention around the dangers of fentanyl, especially the hidden dangers of fake pills and other contaminants that can lead to drug overdose deaths. SAMHSA wants youth to pitch their ideas that educate peers in their communities about fentanyl and fake pills and prevents overdose. Ideas can include any innovative ways to reach youth on this topic like social media posts, vlogs, podcasts, video journals, etc.
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South Southwest PTTC is wrapping up 2023 with gratitude |
Thank you for utilizing the services of the SSW PTTC this year. We appreciate your feedback and helping us improve the products and services we bring to you. We wish you and your families a joyful holiday season and a wonderful new year!
Our offices will be closed for the winter break from December 22-January 1. We will be back here on January 2, 2024 ready to continue great things in the new year!
With sincere gratitude,
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