Building a Local Policy Campaign:
The First 5 Steps
Are you equipped to kickstart local policy change — from writing the initial policy action statement to drafting a proposed policy or outline? Our six-week training course, “Building a Local Policy Campaign,” will help you learn how to craft the first five internal steps of a local policy campaign at the organizational or municipal level.

Full attendance is required to receive your certificate of completion. The course runs from February 5 to March 12 and will be conducted in CANVAS, following registration on Webex. If you're committed to being an engaged participant and applying new knowledge to your work, be sure to sign up for our upcoming course!
Local Support for Veterans
It is critical to provide continuity of psychological health care services to armed services members and veterans as they transition to a new provider. InTransition bridges potential gaps during a change to a new medical facility, geographic location, or health care system. Coaches are master’s level, licensed behavioral health clinicians who provide support and local resources. inTransition services are available by phone 24/7. It takes only a few minutes to refer a patient to this program by calling 1-800-424-7877. 
Alcohol Policy and the Pandemic — Getting a Foot in the Debate
The pandemic has been responsible for rapid, sweeping changes in alcohol policy across the country we learned at our recent webinar, Shaping the Alcohol Policy Environment: Past, Present and Future. For example, there is a trend in some areas of relaxing rules regarding curbside pickup of alcoholic drinks and home delivery of spirits. Could changes in how products are marketed, delivered, and consumed be creating new opportunities for misuse?

In such a dynamic environment, it is important for prevention professionals not to wait to be invited to local and statewide alcohol policy debates. They must be cognizant of active proposals and ensure that they are included among the stakeholders, says Cassandra Tourre, Director of Public Policy at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. NABCA has an interactive dashboard to help monitor alcohol practices by state. Tourre urged professionals to get involved early to help balance the narrative before rules are relaxed and misuse becomes an even bigger problem.
Advancing Health Equity with Language Justice 
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps is a collaborative program with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute that is aimed at encouraging and promoting the ideals of health equity. The program provides evidence-based training, research, and guidance for community leaders to implement in their engagement efforts.

Their first webinar of 2021 will be held on January 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET and will go into detail about the importance of language justice in community engagement strategies. Fostering shared, open dialogues within diverse communities can be a challenging, but key, aspect of the work prevention professionals do in their communities. Register for the webinar to save your spot! 
Happenings in the Southeast
Opioid Prevention in Rural South Carolina
The pandemic seems to be further accelerating overdose deaths from synthetic opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. South Carolina has been hit particularly hard, with a 49 percent elevation in suspected opioid overdoses since the pandemic began, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. In the spring of 2020, the state identified rural Marlboro County as a hotspot, and a local behavioral health services agency jumped into action to address the crisis.

Trinity Behavioral Care (TBC) initiated “Poppin’ Pills Pop Dreams,” in which a safely masked prevention professional gives away free NARCAN nasal spray in a drive-thru and trains people how to use it. Community members also receive Deterra drug deactivation kits and educational materials. Volunteers also provide transportation for people who may have difficulty attending. The initiative was developed under the leadership of TBC Executive Director Donny Brock, Prevention Director Jenice Green, and her team. 
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