Prevention
Overview of Substance Use Block Grant
The Behavioral Health Administration's Prevention Office provides oversight of the Substance Use Block Grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration. This funding is awarded to all 24 jurisdictions, primarily through the local health departments and supports a variety of primary prevention strategies and programs that are implemented at the local level. Each year, the local jurisdictions determine their substance use prevention needs and then implement strategies and services that target the general population and groups that have a higher risk for developing substance use disorders. The Prevention Office also provides training and technical assistance to grantees.
What Does this Program Do?
- Social marketing campaigns that focus on binge drinking, underage drinking, the risks and harms of marijuana and of non-medical use of prescription drugs; and the proper storage and disposal of prescription drugs.
- Prevention education programs including Alcohol.edu, the Strengthening Families Program, Guiding Good Choices, Kids Like Us, and Project Alert.
- Compliance checks and responsible beverage training.
The Substance Use Block Grant prevention funds also support awards to four university Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Centers. The ATOD Centers focus on substance use prevention efforts through training, education, and the development of constructive alternatives for college students.
BHA contracts with the University of Maryland, College Park to administer the Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems (MD Collaborative). The MD Collaborative provides guidance, training and technical assistance to participating colleges to assist them with strategy implementation.
BHA also contracts with the Behavioral Health Resources and Technical Assistance (BHRT) program at the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Pharmacy to provide expert technical assistance and training to local jurisdictions.
Where can I learn more?
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Centers:
Questions or comments may be directed to: [email protected].
