7 March 2005

Partnership formed to enhance substance abuse prevention services

Governor Kathleen Sebelius along with leaders from the Kansas National Guard and the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to formalize a partnership to enhance coordination of substance abuse prevention services.

The signing event solidifies an agreement to place five Drug Demand Reduction Coordinators (DDRC) from the Kansas National Guard Counterdrug Program into Regional Prevention Centers, supported by the Addiction and Prevention Services unit of SRS. The DDRC’s were relocated to Regional Prevention Centers in Hays, Manhattan, Newton, Olathe, and Topeka.

“I am very encouraged by this partnership to enhance substance abuse prevention,” said Gov. Sebelius. “It is another great example how working together benefits our Kansas communities.”

Linking two entities with common goals will expand the capacity of state, regional and community partnerships to more effectively prevent substance abuse. SRS supports training and technical assistance to build community capacity to develop comprehensive, outcomes-based plans to address the unique needs of communities. The current state outcome measures targeted include the following:

Reduce use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

Delay onset of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use

Increase attitudes opposed to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use

“The partnership between the Drug Demand Reduction staff of the Kansas National Guard and Regional Prevention Center is the culmination of many years of cooperative efforts between the Guard and the Regional Prevention Centers,” said Max Wilson, Director of the Regional Prevention Center. “The synergies that are developing between the Regional Prevention Centers and the Kansas National Guard are strengthening the substance abuse prevention efforts of both groups. We applaud the Kansas National Guard for their collaboration and partnership with the Regional Prevention Centers as we work together to make Kansas a place where children are safe, connected to caring adults, and are free from the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs.”

“Working with the Regional Prevention Centers has given our prevention efforts a much more solid feeling,” SGT Shelly Mann, Drug Demand Reduction Coordinator, said. “It has pulled the DDR Staff into a more personal role with the communities that we service. By being a part of the planning meetings and the entire prevention process we gained a greater appreciation for our work as a whole. The Staff at the Regional Prevention Centers have been overwhelmingly supportive in acclimating us to the change and bringing us up to speed on the work that goes on to ensure healthier lifestyles for our communities.”