What prevention programs will be funded with marijuana revenue?

How will marijuana revenue earmarked to fund youth substance abuse prevention be spent?  This was the topic of a community forum hosted by the Washington Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery (DBHR) in Seattle last week.

First of all, revenue from marijuana taxes will go to fund the Liquor Control Board to run the marijuana system; the Healthy Youth Survey; cost-benefit analysis of the legal marijuana system and its impacts on our state; and web-based public education.

After these items are funded, a variety of other things will be funded, including youth substance abuse prevention.

Prevention funding will go to already established coalitions funded by DBHR; to Native American tribes that receive prevention funding; and to establish new coalitions in communities at high risk for youth marijuana use.

In Seattle, two established coalitions receive funding from DBHR -- one in the Garfield High School community and one in the Aki Kurose Middle School community.

As the plan stands right now, no money will be allocated for school-based prevention-intervention counselors or prevention programs unless a DBHR-funded coalition exists in the school's community.

The full presentation may be viewed by clicking here and the handouts may be viewed by clicking here.

Learn about plans for marijuana tax revenue

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is hosting a series of Community Forums regarding implementing the legislative mandate for Initiative 502.

DBHR, along with other state agencies, has begun to prepare for the funding expected in late 2014 from Initiative 502 (I502) marijuana sales tax revenue. This funding is designated for community assessment, media-based education campaigns for adults and youth, prevention hotline, youth marijuana use prevention, youth treatment, and evaluation.  DBHR will share plans for implementing their legislative mandate and provide an opportunity for input from partners, service providers and community members.

Who should  attend:

• Community providers, members and volunteers interested in preventing marijuana abuse among youth
• Community coalitions with a  focus on substance abuse prevention
• Community and public health professionals
• School administrators
• Treatment providers

Dates and Locations:

A community forum will be held in Seattle on October 4, 2013, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Please RSVP at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/I-502CommunityForumRSVP.  Seating is limited to approximately 100.

A webinar will be offered October 9, 2013, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  To join the webinar you must RSVP at:  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/163378706

For more information about these forums visit http://www.theathenaforum.org/dbhrmjpublicforums

Questions?  Contact P. Scott McCarty at mccarps@dshs.wa.gov.