West Virginia has developed a prevention infrastructure to implement and support prevention efforts in the state. The Prevention Infrastructure in West Virginia includes:

• Six regional Prevention Lead Organizations (PLOs)

• County coalitions under the PLOs

• Partnerships for Success (PFS) Coordinators

• SOR Coalition Engagement Specialists

• SOR Adult Suicide Intervention Specialists

• Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Youth Suicide Intervention Specialists and Prevent Suicide WV

Prevention Lead Organizations are located in six regions throughout the state. These leads have extensive training and experience related to prevention, and coordinate efforts among county coalitions and other specialists. They provide services such as information dissemination, education, alternatives, problem ID and referral, community-based processes, and environmental strategies. They are trained in the Strategic Prevention Framework and have experience using data to guide prevention decisions—from identifying which substance use problems to address in a community, to choosing the most appropriate ways to address these problems, to determining whether selected interventions and strategies are making progress in meeting prevention needs.

West Virginia Prevention Solutions is the Region 4 Prevention Lead Organization in the prevention infrastructure. Our staff are trained in prevention best practices and most are certified Prevention Specialists.

Information dissemination

This strategy provides awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent of alcohol, tobacco and drug use, abuse and addiction and their effects on individuals, families and communities. It also provides knowledge and awareness of available prevention programs and services. Information dissemination is characterized by one-way communication from the source to the audience, with limited contact between the two. Examples of activities conducted and methods used for this strategy include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Clearinghouse/information resource center(s); • Resource directories; • Media campaigns; • Brochures; • Radio/TV public service announcements; • Speaking engagements; • Health fairs/health promotion; and • Information line.

environmental strategies

This strategy establishes or changes written and unwritten community standards, codes and attitudes, thereby influencing incidence and prevalence of the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs used in the general population. This strategy is divided into two subcategories to permit distinction between activities which center on legal and regulatory initiatives and those that relate to the service and action oriented initiatives. Examples of activities conducted and methods used for this strategy shall include (but not be limited to) the following:

• Promoting the establishment or review of alcohol, tobacco and drug use policies in schools; • Technical assistance to communities to maximize local enforcement procedures governing availability and distribution of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; • Modifying alcohol and tobacco advertising practices; and • Product pricing strategies.

education

This strategy involves two-way communication and is distinguished from the Information Dissemination strategy by the fact that interaction between the educator/facilitator and the participants is the basis of its activities. Activities under this strategy aim to affect critical life and social skills, including decision-making, refusal skills, critical analysis (e.g., of media messages) and systematic judgment abilities. Examples of activities conducted and methods used for this strategy include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Classroom and/or small group sessions (all ages); • Parenting and family management classes; • Peer leader/helper programs; • Education programs for youth groups; and • Children of substance abusers groups.

Community based processes

This strategy aims to enhance the ability of the community to more effectively provide prevention and treatment services for alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse disorders. Activities in this strategy include organizing, planning, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of services implementation, inter-agency collaboration, coalition building and networking. Examples of activities conducted and methods used for this strategy include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Community and volunteer training, e.g., neighborhood action training, training of key people in the system, staff/officials training; • Systematic planning; • Multi-agency coordination and collaboration; • Accessing services and funding; and • Community team-building.

alternative activities

This strategy provides for the participation of target populations in activities that exclude alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. The assumption is that constructive and healthy activities offset the attraction to, or otherwise meet the needs usually filled by alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and would, therefore, minimize or obviate resort to the latter. Examples of activities conducted and methods used for this strategy include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Drug free dances and parties; • Youth/adult leadership activities; • Community drop-in centers; and • Community service activities.

problem identification and referral

This strategy aims at identification of those who have indulged in illegal/age-inappropriate use of tobacco or alcohol and those individuals who have indulged in the first use of illicit drugs in order to assess if their behavior can be reversed through education. It should be noted, however, that this strategy does not include any activity designed to determine if a person is in need of treatment. Examples of activities conducted and methods used for this strategy include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Employee assistance programs; • Student assistance programs; and • Driving while under the influence/driving while intoxicated education programs.

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with a specific risky health behavior. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who engage in specific risky health behaviors.

In relation to substance use, Harm reduction incorporates a spectrum of strategies from safer use, to managed use to abstinence to meet drug users “where they’re at,” addressing conditions of use along with the use itself. Emphasizing public health and human rights, harm reduction programs provide essential health information and services while respecting individual dignity and autonomy.  Harm Reduction is one way individuals who engage in risky behaviors can connect with support, resources, and education. Harm reduction programs focus on limiting the risks and harms associated with unsafe drug use, which is linked to serious adverse health consequences, including HIV transmission, viral hepatitis, and death from overdose.

There is evidence that harm reduction approaches greatly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with risky health behaviors. For example, areas that have introduced needle-exchange programs have shown decreases in HIV and hepatitis transmission compared with those areas that have not introduced needle-exchange programs. Access to methadone maintenance programs are strongly related to decreased mortality, both from natural causes and overdoses, which suggests that these programs have an impact on overall health. The most recent addition to the harm reduction practices is supervised injecting facilities, which have been successfully implemented in Switzerland and the Netherlands, and more recently in Vancouver, British Columbia.

IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

• A non-judgmental approach that treats every person with dignity, compassion, and respect, regardless of circumstance or condition.

• Utilizing evidence-based, feasible, and cost-effective practices to prevent and reduce harm;
  Accepting behavior change as an incremental process in which individuals engage in self-discovery and transition through “stages of change;”

• Active and meaningful participation of drug users, former drug users, and community stakeholders in shaping sensible policies and practices around drug use;

• Focusing on enhancing quality of life for individuals and communities, rather than promoting cessation of all drug use;

• Recognizing complex social factors that influence vulnerability to drug use and drug-related harm, including poverty, social inequality, discrimination, and trauma;

• Empowering drug users to be the primary agents in reducing the harms of their drug use;

• Commitment to defending universal human rights.

For more information about Harm Reduction Practices and how you can get involved, please visit HarmReduction.org.