KENNEWICK-- National, state and community drug prevention leaders will gather to share successful strategies for keeping young people drug-free at the 2006 Washington State Drug Prevention Summit opening Friday, October 20, Kennewick.

"Preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug misuse and its impact on families and communities is a shared responsibility," said Doug Allen, director of the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) in the Department of Social and Health Services.

"Adults are the primary influence on their children’s decisions about alcohol or drug use," said Allen.  "We can all help our young people to lead successful and healthy lives by consistently modeling healthy choices, talking with children often about the ways alcohol, tobacco and other drugs can harm them, and supporting prevention and intervention programs in schools and communities."

The theme for the Summit, which will open Friday at 8am at the Three Rivers Convention Center, is Instead of Using, I’m Refusing" submitted by Gabe Alcantara, a teen volunteer with the Washington State Teenline. 

Featured speakers will include Lt. Governor Brad Owen, and Dr. David Hawkins of the University of Washington.  The summit will include more than 37 workshops for parents, students, prevention professionals, educators and law enforcement officials from around the state. Participants will learn how to create long-term, healthy changes in their communities, such as reducing children's access to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and the impact of alcohol and tobacco advertising.

Lt. Governor Brad Owen will present Exemplary Prevention Awards, honoring effective programs and dedicated individuals and groups around the state. This year's winners are:

• Travis Skidmore, Individual Award, Moses Lake
• Carla Huyck, Individual Award, Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, Olympia.
• MartinLuther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, Spokane
• Susie Roberts, Lifetime Achievement, Community, Trade and Economic Development, Olympia
• Leroy "Oly" Harrison, Lifetime Achievement, Liquor Control Board, Tacoma

Awards will also be presented to the following legislators for their support in maintaining effective prevention services for Washington’s children, families and communities: Rep. Steve Conway, 29th District; Rep. Dennis Flannigan, 27th District; Rep. Bill Fromhold, 49th District; Rep. Lynn Kessler, 24th District; Rep. Derek Kilmer, 26th District; Rep. Helen Sommers, 36th District; Sen. Lisa Brown, 3rd District; Sen. Mark Doumit, 19th District; Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, 1st District; Sen. Bob Oke, 26th District; and Sen. Margarita Prentice, 11th District.

The 2005 Washington State Prevention Summit is sponsored by the state Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Health; Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction;  Washington Coalition for Reducing Underage Drinking;  Washington State Mentoring Partnership; Liquor Control Board; Benton-Franklin Counties; King County; the Washington National Guard; Students Against Destructive Decisions;  Together of Thurston County; ESD 113; the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; and the Citizens Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction.

EDITORS: Contact phone numbers for the Exemplary Prevention Awards winners are: Travis Skidmore (509) 762-1462; Carla Huyck (360) 236-3678; Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center (509) 455-8722; Susie Roberts (360) 725-3027; Leroy "Oly" Harrison  (253) 471-5200.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND:Jim Stevenson, Communications Director, HRSA, DSHS, 360-902-7604