Good News:

Achievements

Below are just a few examples of some of the accomplishments achieved
through our programs and combined coalition efforts.

National Award

GREATER SPOKANE SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL (GSSAC) RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
FROM OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council (GSSAC) has received a national award for Outstanding Prevention/Public Education Effort on Tribal Lands at the recent 2011 national High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Conference in Washington, D.C. GSSAC Executive Director, Linda J. Thompson, accepted the award.

White House Drug Control Policy Director, Gil Kerlikowske, made the award to GSSAC, saying, "Close collaboration with our Federal, state, local, and tribal partners is a critical component of our efforts to reduce both the demand and supply of drugs. I congratulate the GSSAC and the Northwest HIDTA for their work to improve public health and safety.”

Community Organizing

Thousands of educators, prevention specialists, youth leaders, parents, and others have received training on effective prevention strategies.

GSSAC's efforts have been recognized throughout the state including three Washington State Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Awards and three Governor's Recognition Awards.

Impaired Driving Prevention and Education

An evaluation of the 24 Hour Jail Alternative DUI Education program found that approximately 88% of participants had not had another DUI arrest four years later.

GSSAC has been instrumental in helping six other counties start DUI Victims Impact Panels.

Scene from mock crash, April, 2010

As a way of providing high school students a vivid and real impression of the possible horrors and long-reaching consequences of choosing to drive impaired, GSSAC has assisted in a number of Mock Crash demonstrations at area high schools over the years.

Policymaker Education

Media

GSSAC was a co-founder of the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention (WASAVP) which unites, educates about, and supports prevention statewide.

GSSAC staff serves and have served on statewide boards such as the Governor's Council on Substance Abuse, the Prevention Specialist Certification Board of Washington, and the Washington Impaired Driving Advisory Council

Nationally, GSSAC staff have provided our regional perspective through active membership and participation on various working groups including but not limited to:

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Developing Leadership to Reduce Substance Abuse in the Nation Fellowship.
Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) "Above the Influence" campaign
Student Drug Testing Program through the Department of Education
National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children and
U.S. Department of Justice National Working Group for Drug Endangered Children Tribal Work

GSSAC actively participated with the Washington State Liquor Control Board to create an Alcohol Impact Area in downtown Spokane.

A leader in local and statewide advocacy on behalf of prevention, GSSAC has seen many of their efforts result in environmental changes such as many organizations no longer serving alcohol at fundraisers for youth, the removal of drinking games from major retail stores, and the removal of alcohol from a local grocery chain's holiday display.

GSSAC is recognized as a trusted source for news media and regularly conducts interviews through multiple media venues. In addition, GSSAC public awareness campaigns strive to promote awareness not only of the impact of substance abuse and violence and related crimes but also to highlight successful prevention efforts.

Always vigilant, GSSAC has led the call for appropriate language in the media as it relates to drug, alcohol, and violence issues. GSSAC appreciates and recognizes reporters/editors for referring to impaired driving collisions as crashes not accidents. GSSAC also advocates for positive language regarding those who need help with substance abuse issues while continually addressing the need to eliminate the stigma of treatment and recovery.

Using electronic social networks, GSSAC updates our community on drug and alcohol-related news from our region. For example, we provided information and developments surrounding the dangers of caffeinated alcoholic "energy drink" beverages.

GSSAC