Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 17, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Washington to get $9 million grant for prevention of substance abuse

OLYMPIA — Washington is one of only 14 states that will receive a federal incentive grant for substance abuse prevention.

Washington will receive $3 million for the next three years from the federal government for alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention programs. The special incentive grant, awarded by the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, complements Gov. Gary Locke's initiatives to improve the health, welfare, and safety of the children in the state. Eighty-five percent of the funds will go to local prevention programs. The state Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, will administer the grant cooperatively with other state agencies.

The governor appointed 30 citizens and officials to a new Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee, which will develop a plan to use these new funds and make the best use of existing prevention dollars. Co-chairing the committee are Dr. Priscilla Lisicich, chair of the Governor's Council on Substance Abuse; and Law Risken, chair of DSHS' Citizens' Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction. Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and four legislators also serve.

In addition to funding promising prevention initiatives in up to 20 local communities, the grant will help coordinate existing state prevention resources to ensure easy access by communities for their families and youth. Communities will address the social messages that youth receive, which have led to a greater number of youth who don't perceive drugs as harmful.

According to the most recent Washington State Survey of Adolescent Health Behaviors, the rate of marijuana and alcohol use by students in grades 8, 10, and 12 is higher than the national average. This grant will help communities develop prevention plans to reverse recent increases in marijuana use and binge drinking among youth, by reducing factors in the community, schools, families, and peer environments that put youth at risk for substance abuse.

The Governor's Advisory Committee will design a comprehensive substance abuse prevention plan, including better coordination and collaboration among existing state and community groups. The plan will focus on partnerships with state, local, and tribal government agencies, community coalitions and networks, youth and parents, schools, and the workplace. The committee, whose appointment was required as a condition of the federal grant, will operate for three years.

Appointed to the Governor's Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee were:

* Dr. Priscilla Lisicich of Tacoma, co-chair. Lisicich is director of the Pierce County Safe Streets Campaign.
* Law Risken of Olympia, co-chair. Risken is a retired state employee and chairperson of the DSHS Citizen Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction.
* State Rep. Ida Ballasiotes (R-Mercer Island).
* Donna Bosworth of Olympia, chemical dependency program manager and prevention specialist for Thurston County Public Health and Social Services.
* Larry J. Clark of Tacoma, vice president of the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation.
* Rev. John M. Cook-Cornelius of Everett, priest at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
* State Sen. Alex Deccio (R-Yakima).
* Gerardo G. DeSantos Jr. of Yakima, a senior at Naches Valley High School.
* Shamara Duncan of Kennewick, a junior at Kamiakin High School.
* Dan Emerson of Vancouver, a sophomore at Eastern Washington University.
* Mary Frost of Olympia, director of chronic disease prevention and risk reduction for the Department of Health.
* Raymond Fryberg Sr. of Marysville, prevention specialist for Tulalip Family Services.
* Dr. J. David Hawkins of Seattle, professor of social work and director of the Social Development Research Group, University of Washington.
* Ester Huey of Yakima, director of the Yakima Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.
* State Rep. Jim Kastama (D-Puyallup).
* William N. Kelley of Vancouver, personnel manager of Vanalco Inc.
* Thomas Kelly of Olympia, assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction.
* Ann Kirkpatrick of Ellensburg, chief of the Ellensburg Police Department.
* Raymond Mason of Seattle, labor liaison for substance abuse services, Washington State Labor Council.
* Rosalie McHale of Olympia, office chief for the Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee.
* Guy McMinds of Tahola, a parent of adopted children with fetal alcohol syndrome.
* Letty Mendez of Olympia, director of youth programs, Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.
* Deborah Northern of Kennewick, community outreach and training specialist at Columbia Basin Community College and a board member of the Franklin County Community Health and Safety Network.
* Lt. Gov. Brad Owen.
* State Sen. Julia Patterson (D-SeaTac).
* Neil Scott of Seattle, executive director of the Alliance for Recovery.
* Ken Stark of Des Moines, director of the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, DSHS.
* Dr. Kim Thorburn of Spokane, health officer of the Spokane Regional Health District.
* Gene Uno of Lakewood, prevention specialist, Pierce County Human Services.
* Steve Wells of Olympia, assistant director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

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