2008 Washington State Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Awards
(Prepared remarks)
October 17, 2008
Yakima, Washington
Awards Program (PDF)

Good afternoon.  It is my pleasure to be here again with all of you at these 10th annual Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Awards. And it is always a privilege to once again be in the great city of Yakima.

Today, we are here to honor those who, through their unwavering commitment and dedication, give much of themselves to one of the most important issues we face today – the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

For you honorees, this summit is a recognition of the important work you do, but it should also serve as encouragement to those of you who might feel like you are fighting a never-ending battle.  You are proof that the challenges of substance abuse can, and will, be overcome. You are heroes in our communities.

You are proof that committed individuals who take a stand and confront the problem of substance abuse to find more positive choices for our kids and our communities works. It works well. A simple thank you hardly seems like enough to express personal gratitude for your perseverance in fighting substance abuse in our state.  I am confident the citizens of Washington state share my appreciation for your commitment.

Your work is important work – valuable work.  Without your commitment, dedication and leadership, the terrible problem of substance abuse would be much greater than it is today.  I have said it before and will continue to state:  Through your work, you have made Washington a safer and healthier place for our children and families! 

We have learned that through education and support of these often vulnerable kids and our communities, we do have a chance to break the cycle of addiction.  Alcohol, marijuana, meth, ecstasy and even prescription drugs continue to be a challenging adversary. The fight is long and hard, but with you all on the front lines, we are keeping that enemy at bay. I am inspired by your work, and it is a privilege to help honor all of you for the exemplary work you do to fight substance abuse with prevention. 

Individuals and groups who work in the substance abuse prevention field, successful prevention programs, and media partners who support prevention work, are nominated through an application process to be considered for Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Awards. 

A review committee then evaluates the nominations and makes the final selections.  At this time I am happy to introduce you to the 2008 Awardees:

As I call your name or your organization’s name, please join me on the stage to accept your award:

Our first award is for Exemplary Collaboration

Linda DuBois  of the Meridian School District  over in Whatcom would you please come forward?

Linda DuBois, a certified prevention professional, has worked to reduce risk factors impacting middle and high school youth and has also extended her work with families for over a decade. She has worked as a prevention/intervention specialist for the past eight years and is currently providing services in two Bellingham School Districts, Meridian and Mount Baker.

Linda has been a vital asset to pushing forward evidence based prevention programming in her schools and community. She facilitates the Project ALERT substance abuse program, Strengthening Families, and the Great Body Shop; all best practices that were not in practice prior to Linda’s introduction of them.

Linda also coordinates efforts with the Teens against Tobacco Use (TATU) and Students Against Smoking International (SASI) Squad as well as organized students for the Drug Free Youth Program, a program coordinated by the local Community Mobilization entity.

A big hand for Linda, please!

Our next individual award is for

Exemplary Prevention Volunteer.

Mr. Larry C. Gleason please come forward

Larry Gleason is a volunteer working with the Spokane County Community Services, Substance Abuse Prevention Unit and Substance Abuse Advisory Board.He is the lead coordinator for the county’s prevention booth that travels to community events such as the Spokane County Interstate Fair. As a volunteer Larry schedules, coordinates with event organizers, arranges staff to work the booth, staffs the booths personally, transports equipment and materials to events, creates and maintains displays, and helps procure items for the booth.

Larry assists the County prevention coordinator in reviewing and researching information that is provided at the prevention booth.  In addition, Larry built from scratch two electronic quiz boards.  

The quiz board is a primary attraction for persons visiting the booth and is used as a tool to promote dialogue with booth staff about a variety of topics including ATOD and evidence-based prevention.

Larry has over 1250 volunteer hours volunteering with Spokane County Community Services.  Larry’s exemplary volunteerism has allowed him and other prevention booth staff to reach over 15,000 community members from 30 events since early 2005.

Great job Larry.  How about a big round of applause for Larry.

Next: The 2008 Adult Exemplary Outcomes Award

Tobacco Prevention and Policy Enhancement program from Selah School District.

Our honorees are : Ann Gloe  and Bethe Miller

Ann Gloe, a chemical dependency professional, and Bethe Miller, a health and fitness teacher were hired to administer a Department of Health Tobacco Policy Enhancement Grant for the Selah School District in 2007. The two set out to accomplish the following goals:

• Increase the number of students who report that school tobacco policies are enforced consistently,
• Create and implement an alternative-to-suspension program for tobacco discipline infractions, and
• Raise staff and community awareness about the importance of youth tobacco use prevention.

The work of these two women has far exceeded the expectations of the grant. They faced and successfully implemented systems changes.

Policy change is time-consuming and hard work. Bethe and Ann both were able to support the Selah School District’s need to re-evaluate and create a consistent tobacco policy.  All schools within the district now have consistent language in their policies, protocols, and procedures. 

The alternative-to-suspension after-school cessation program was a success and will be continued regardless of funding.

The needs of 73 students with a tobacco discipline referral in 2007 were assessed and appropriate referrals to programs and services were made.

The community was significantly unaware of the effects of tobacco abuse and much work was done with key leaders, stakeholders and groups to begin to increase awareness.

Their exemplary efforts include policy change, the introduction of a standardized screening assessment tool for all tobacco violation referrals, ongoing and immediate accessibility to new classes, bi-weekly meetings, as well as increased community awareness and collaboration towards addressing this substance abuse issue.

Great job Anne and Bethe!! Way to go! Please come forward and accept your award.

Our next category is the Exemplary Youth Volunteer Award Skykomish High School Prevention Club

In 2005, Skykomish High School started a Prevention Club to address community norms around drug, alcohol and tobacco.  The original membership of 4 students has grown to 12. This comprises almost half of the Skykomish High School’s student body. The goals of the Prevention Club are to change community norms from one of tolerance to one of “It’s Cool to Be Clean.”

The club has coordinated numerous educational and interactive activities across grades levels (pre-K- 12) in and around the Skykomish.  Their alcohol, tobacco and other drugs education presentations are the result of many hours of research and planning.  Club members are very vocal about their commitment to sobriety and use each other for support when the negative peer pressure becomes overwhelming.

Our next award is the Youth Leadership Award

Presented to the Sunnyside High School Leadership Class

The student-led substance abuse prevention efforts for the Sunnyside Leadership Class began in 2004 when a group of students attended the CADCA conference in Washington D.C. Using skills developed at the conference the Leadership Class has made a concerted efforts to reduce their community and peer groups norms favorable toward youth substance use. The 2007 Leadership class has identified strategies and plans to overcome peer challenges. They created a problem statement “Underage drinking and drug use is causing many issues in our school and community.”

Activities coordinated by the Leadership Class include “Every 15 Minutes,” week-long activities leading up to prom, video   production about local issues to show the student body; followed by discussions in the classrooms using questions the Leadership Class created, school assemblies, skits and speakers.

They also implemented a pilot program with the 5^th graders. The Leadership Class facilitated the Brain Power curriculum to all 5^th grade classrooms. David Martinez, Leadership Class teacher, worked with the school principals to allow for flexible schedules during the training time. He commented that his   students “saw how much the 5^th grades were influenced by the high school students and how their actions have an impact on our community.”

They coordinated a youth-led community forum on youth substance abuse to coincide with the national effort in spring of 2008, which included a Town Hall meeting. They performed a skit that they created, showed the video This Place and fielded questions from the audience. Not once did the students have to turn to an adult to answer questions. Comments from participants were positive and enthusiastic.

Exemplary Youth Project Award

Presented to the Shelton High School and Oakland Bay Junior High School SADD Clubs. (Advisor Gerry Apple)

The Shelton High School and Oakland Bay Jr. High Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Clubs focus their efforts to reduce underage drinking. There are 80 students in the high school club and 50 in the junior high club. SADD club members meet weekly and officers meet biweekly to plan activities. They target all grades for presentations and are active in the Shelton community. They use cross peer teaching for tobacco use, seatbelts, booster seats, pedestrian and bicycle safety.

They have made special efforts to better serve the Hispanic and Native American communities and students in the alternative schools. This includes coordinating Town Hall meetings and after school activities.

Many students are also active in other clubs and school activities offering the opportunity to collaborate on projects but creating a challenge for meeting scheduling. The officers generally meet in the evenings.

 The clubs work closely with numerous community groups and agencies including the Mason County Drug Alcohol Prevention board, Mason County Teens Against Tobacco Use program, DUI victim’s panel, Mason County Relay for Life Steering Committee, Shelton School Board representation, Shelton Police and Fire Departments, Washington Traffic Safety Commission and monthly presentations to Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Elk and Moose service clubs.

They completed three major activities in the 2007-2008 school year included Town Hall meetings; SADD Club Week; and “Every 33 minutes.”

The Town Hall meeting in Shelton on March 26^th was student organized. They planned for two months, with each weekly 1.5 hour planning meeting facilitated by a different student. Two students were on the panel of five individuals that spoke in front of 100 people. Radio and local newspaper media were present to cover the event.

Congratulations to you all!

Our final category is the

2008 Washington State Lifetime Achievement Award – presented to Mr. Jack Wilson

Mr. Wilson has been passionately involved with Substance Abuse Prevention since 1988.  He began his work in Snohomish County and over the years worked in numerous states around the nation and most recently throughout the State of Washington with the Strategic Prevention Framework - State Incentive Grant. 

Jack is known throughout the prevention world and highly respected because of his knowledge, experience, expertise, and generous personality.  His greatest attribute is his dedication to helping people in any way that he can.  He can work with a community on budget matters as well as helping a colleague carry her bag in the airport.  Whatever the job, he keeps a smile on his face and a metaphor in his pocket.

Jack has served on numerous review boards, committees, and task forces at local, state and federal levels, most recently at the Western Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (West CAPT). His work has truly helped move the prevention field forward and will have lasting effects.

 In addition to his “paid” work as a prevention specialist, he has also volunteered numerous hours and has been called upon in his community to be a mentor to several young boys who were having a pretty hard time at a particular point in their young lives.  His complete commitment to prevention and creating healthy communities is evident not only at work but in how he lives his life.

 Words used by Jack’s peers at describe him include “great role model, “caring and passionate about helping people,” and a “one of the champions in the field of prevention.”

Jack is retiring and will no doubt be missed, but in nominating him Jack’s peers expressed their greatest hope that he will continue his community work and share his passion for healthy families and children.  Good luck, Jack and thank you for all your hard work over the last 20 years.

That will conclude our presentation today. You’ve been a great audience. How about another round of applause for all of our awardees?