South Western Oklahoma Development Authority will join communities across the country in celebrating the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Prevention Week 2023 to increase public awareness of, and action around, mental and substance misuse disorders.

“Each year, SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week showcases the work of communities and organizations across the country dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of substance misuse prevention and positive mental health,” said Cheryl Megli, SWODA coalition coordinator.

“National Prevention Week celebrates these year-round initiatives and the possibilities prevention brings.”

The week is being observed May 7-13 this year.

“SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week is an opportunity for us to join communities across the country to celebrate the communities and organizations that make a positive impact on substance misuse prevention,” said Carol Binghom, project director at SWODA. “Substance misuse prevention begins with each of us, and we all have the power to foster a healthier future for ourselves and those we care about.”

SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week echoes a key message of the 2016 Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health: “We can shift the way society thinks about substance misuse and substance use disorders while identifying actions that individuals and communities can take to prevent and treat these conditions.”

“SWODA is proud to be one of many organizations around the country encouraging people to raise awareness about the importance of substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion in their communities as part of National Prevention Week,” Binghom said.

For more information, visit www.samhsa.gov/prevention- week.