PRESS RELEASE

August 31, 2009

Contact:  Heather Markonich or Martha Polinsky

WV SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION COALITIONS IMPRESS LEGISLATORS

WHAT: West Virginia Substance Abuse Prevention Luncheon The West Virginia Region One county substance abuse prevention coalitions invite local legislators to a learning opportunity!  They will learn about numerous substance abuse prevention activities occurring all over the state and locally in Ohio County. 

WHEN:    September 10, 2009 - Noon-1:30p.m.

WHERE:  Youth Service Systems, Inc., Hazel Atlas Building, 87 15^th St. Wheeling, WV 26003

WHO:  This luncheon is sponsored by the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC), West Virginia Prevention Resource Center (WVPRC), and West Virginia Region One County Coalitions from the following: Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Gilmer, Harrison, Hancock, Brooke, Monongalia, Marion, Pleasants, Wood, Calhoun, Ritchie, Tyler, Wirt and Doddridge.  Participants will include WV state legislators, WV Region One coalition project directors, WV Prevention Resource Center representatives, and community coalition members.   WVPRC Executive Director Wayne Coombs will address the group and each county will display their county prevention activities to the legislators. 

WHY:  OCSAPC is part of a larger statewide prevention system which has state level participation from the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being.  This governor appointed partnership has representation form all areas of state government and community organizations.  Often on the county level, we have the same representation within our coalitions.  This luncheon will highlight to legislators the staggering cost of substance abuse to West Virginia and the need for continued support of a state prevention system.  To expedite this process, coalitions support codification of the West Virginia Partnership to Promote Community Well Being.  This luncheon will provide important information to legislators and impress upon them the amazing substance abuse prevention activities occurring in our region and throughout the state of West Virginia.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Please contact Martha Polinsky or Heather Markonich at (304) 233-2045 ext. 305 for additional information or to set up an interview.  We encourage attendance by all media to this event.