The Prestera Center coordinates prevention efforts throughout a ten-county region which encompasses Boone, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam, and Wayne counties. Each of these counties has established, strong, grassroots coalitions that are engaged in providing resources and evidence-based resources to schools, churches, and programs.
The prevention coalitions provide resources to educate and empower children, youth, young adults, and senior adults about proper storage and disposal of unwanted, unused, or expired prescription drugs. Our region has established strong collaborative partnerships with schools, churches, universities, and local, state and federal partners committed to establishing drug-free communities throughout Region 5 and all of West Virginia.
During the last year we have increased the number of drop box locations throughout the region. The coalitions have increased the number of partnerships as well as building lasting relationships with schools, churches, and community centers throughout Region 5. We have worked to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use issues in these communities, and are also building resource guides to provide knowledge for those seeking treatment and recovery.
Prestera is providing schools and recovery homes in our region with vape detectors to help reduce the amount of vaping occurring in their facilities. We also offer evidence-based programming to help convince students to quit vaping and make healthier choices.
We have provided each county in our region with the Second Step, Positive Action and Keep a Clear Mind evidence-based programming for schools, churches and community centers. We have also provided training and technical support to the communities using these programs.
The coalitions have provided several trainings to our communities on topics such as safe medication storage and disposal and health literacy for senior centers and adult populations. We are hosting an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) training in August 2021 that will provide participants with the tools to reduce suicide and help those in crisis. We have distributed over 700 naloxone units throughout our region along with performing trainings to teach the public how to properly use naloxone.
During the past year Region 5 has provided our youth with healthy drug-free alternative activities such as a pine car race and a luau at a local swimming pool. The coalitions continue to grow as our youth leadership groups throughout our communities provide teen summits and trainings. We have met with local and state representatives to inform them about our substance use disorder and prevention programs and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to do more important prevention work in the upcoming year.