U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Chief Technology Officer Todd Park—pictured here with CSAP Director Frances M. Harding and SAMHSA Principal Deputy Administrator Kana Enomoto, M.A.—spoke to Prevention Day attendees about harnessing the power of technology and innovation to improve the health and welfare of the Nation.

SAMHSA's Prevention Day 2012

More than 1,700 substance abuse professionals, grantees, and community partners gathered at the National Harbor in Maryland on February 6 for SAMHSA's Prevention Day. Each year, Prevention Day is part of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA's) Annual National Leadership Forum. The day-long event provides a forum for participants to share experiences and information specific to the prevention of substance abuse and the promotion of mental health, as well as to network with other grantees and partners.

SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Director Frances M. Harding welcomed attendees to the 8th annual event titled "Prevention in Action: Investing in our Future."

"Today is about collaboration," she said. "Without it, we can't get where we need to go."

Ms. Harding was joined by her colleagues and directors from SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), and Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), who each gave an overview of recent SAMHSA activities and plans for the future.

SAMHSA's Voices of Prevention Honorees with CSAP Director Frances M. Harding. Voices of Prevention recognizes SAMHSA grantees who have demonstrated exemplary work in the field of prevention.

As part of an inspirational opening session, SAMHSA recognized grantees that have demonstrated exemplary service to youth in their communities. The Voices of Prevention honorees included the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) Program in American Samoa, the Northern Arapaho Tribe's Indian Country Methamphetamine Project, Arizona State University's Campus Care Suicide Prevention Program, the Gay Men's Health Crisis Center's Healthy Connections program in New York, and the Safe Schools/Healthy Students HEROES Initiative in Johnson City, TN. Visit SAMHSA's YouTube channel to view videos about each program.

Workshop and breakout sessions supported SAMHSA's eight Strategic Initiatives and included topics such as Health Care Reform, Prescription Drug Abuse, Underage Drinking, Cyberbullying, Using Epidemiological Data, and Recovery Support.

Prevention Day also featured a component of the SAMHSA-Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)-sponsored traveling interactive exhibit with educational information on underage drinking, prescription drug abuse, and suicide. The entire exhibit is now on display in Tampa, FL. Click here for more information and visit our Flickr page for photos from the event.