Prevention
Overview of Substance Abuse Block Grant
The Prevention Office provides oversight of the Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) 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 support a variety of primary prevention strategies and programs that are implemented at the local level. Each year, the local jurisdictions determine their substance abuse prevention needs and then implement strategies and services that target the general population and sub groups that are a high risk for developing a substance abuse disorder. The Prevention Office also provides training and technical assistance to grantees.
What Does this Program Do?
The following are some examples of prevention programs and strategies that have been implemented at the local level:
- 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, but not limited to: Alcohol.edu, the Strengthening Families Program, Guiding Good Choices, Kids Like Us, and Project Alert.
- Compliance checks and responsible beverage training.
The SABG prevention funds also support awards to 4 university Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Centers. The ATOD Centers focus on substance abuse prevention efforts through training, education, and the development of constructive alternative for college students.
OPHI 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.
OPHI 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?
A complete list of Prevention strategies by region in 2022 (forthcoming)
Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems
Behavioral Health Resources and Technical Assistance program, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Pharmacy
Maryland Prescription Drug Drop off Collection Sites
Please click here to view the map showing prescription drug drop off sites
ATOD Centers:
Bowie State University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Frostburg University
Towson University
Questions or comments may be directed to: ophi.prevention@maryland.gov . For our updated contact information, please refer to the toolbar 'Popular Links' for the 'Staff Directory.'
