The past several days have been observed as National Prevention Week, and here in West Virginia, the Department of Health and Human Resources' Bureau for Behavioral Health is partnering with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to spread the word about "the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health," as the DHHR put it in a news release.
To that end, there are the usual webinars and conferences -- valuable, perhaps, but certainly there will be more important discussions statewide as officials, bureaucrats and academics talk amongst themselves.
"Listening to WV Youth" features highlights from focus groups of those age 15-20, funded by a SAMHSA grant.
Anyone who has spent any time at all around people in that age group know they are experts at saying what they think authority figures want to hear particularly when it comes to substance abuse and mental health. But if they are honest, it will be interesting to get their perspective on these issues.
Further, it is worth wondering just how much state and federal money we are going to keep throwing at those who have figured out they can profit by perpetually "tackling" the substance abuse problem that has been killing Mountain State residents for more than a decade.
"Prevention is an integral part of the behavioral health continuum of care," said Christina Mullins, commissioner of BBH. "Throughout the state, certified prevention specialists work with community partners to strengthen communities and reduce risks related to substance misuse and substance use disorder. This work is critical to build resilience and help break the cycle of substance use."
By all means, if there is ground to be gained by proclaiming a prevention week, gain it. But putting aside the bureaucratese, the bottom line is prevention starts with better mental health and treatment resources, a brighter economic outlook, education and an honest look at the socio-cultural factors that have made it so easy for this plague to find a home in Appalachia.
Residents who have no hope that lawmakers and public officials are working for their future, are going to feel little effect from prevention efforts that too often come across as bureaucracy existing to serve itself.