News & Events
Much of our work involves measuring the difference others make. Getting involved and making our own difference is also an important part of who we are as individuals and as an organization.
National Prevention Week is a public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations across the country that are preventing substance use and misuse — and promoting positive mental health.
National Prevention Week is taking place from May 11-17, 2025! Get involved by sharing your #MyPreventionStory on social media, using our planning toolkit, and hosting your own prevention event or activity.
For more information click here.

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In an effort to educate the community on “The Dangers of Today’s Cannabis,” the City of Mission Viejo is hosting an important drug prevention workshop on May 14.
Open to all ages the program begins at 5 pm (with check-in and resources at 4:30 pm) in the City Council Chamber at 200 Civic Center.
Led by Joe Eberstein of the Cannabis Public Health Initiative, the program will focus on the hype and reality of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); how the teen brain is impacted; how to keep kids and elderly parents safe; and more.

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Fentanyl Awareness Day is a national observance created to increase understanding of the dangers of illicit fentanyl and to promote prevention and education efforts across the country. While each of us approach this work in unique ways - through education, treatment, harm reduction, policy, outreach, public safety, and more - we are united by a shared commitment of preventing overdose and creating a safer San Diego County.
In recognition of this important day, we’ve gathered a few resources and tools that you can use to support awareness activities within your organizations and communities. These include social media messages, fact sheets, and educational toolkits. We invite you to share these resources widely and use them to support your ongoing prevention efforts. Visit SUOPT.org

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April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use and misuse. It offers communities a chance to gain more understanding of how individuals struggle with alcohol use and offers resources and support.

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The deadliest phase of the street fentanyl crisis appears to have ended, as drug deaths continue to drop at an unprecedented pace. For the first time, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have now seen at least some recovery.
A new analysis of U.S. overdose data conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also found that the decline in deaths began much earlier than once understood, suggesting improvements may be sustainable.

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