Prevention

Prevention Banner

In an effort to accomplish and achieve specific goals, Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. (WeDAC), continuously works to sponsor various prevention programs throughout Westmoreland County.  The prevention programs encompass objectives in the areas of education, information dissemination, alternative activities, problem identification and referral, community-based process and environmental activities.

If you are interested in accessing any of Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission’s Prevention services, you may contact the prevention department between the hours of 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.

Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc.

6571 Route 819 S
Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666
(724) 542-4508

Our Prevention Staff:

Julie Lovis, Director of Prevention Services

Sarah Opalinski, Prevention Specialist/Community Mobilizer

 

Thinking about a change?

The decision to change your drinking is up to you. Mixed feelings are normal. It can help to weigh your pros and cons using our interactive worksheet. Don’t wait to “hit bottom,” as changing sooner rather than later is always better. Once you’re ready to cut down or quit, you’ll find many helpful suggestions in the link below.

Information on Preventing Problem Gambling

Problem Gambling

Westmoreland County Prescription Take Back

Do you have expired medication or medication that you no longer take?  Make sure you dispose of them safely by taking them to one of our many Drug Take-Back locations.  Click below to find the location nearest you.

Addiction Policy Forum: Opioid Prevention Campaign

Spotlight on Prevention


Spotlight on Parenting

Helpful Information for Parents

Talking to Teens About Drugs

10 Tips for successfully talking with your teen about substance use.

How to start a conversation

  • When you see advertisements for alcohol or are going past an alcohol store or bar, use that as a conversation starter by commenting on the number or style of alcohol references in the area.

​Ask open ended questions, such as:

  • What would you consider to be too much to drink? What do you know about blacking out (cannot remember events) after drinking?
  • What worries you most about teens your age drinking? Why do you think violence, including unwanted sex, is correlated with times people are drunk?
  • Why do you think people drink? (If you know your teen drinks, ask what they get out of it).
  • How should adults who supply alcohol be held responsible for any arrests, car wrecks, sexual assaults or alcohol poisonings that occur as a result of alcohol they supply?
  • Tell your teen you were just reading statistics about drinking in Jefferson County. Ask them to define binge drinking and to guess what demographic has the highest rates of binge drinking. (Answers: 4 drinks for women/ 5 drinks for men; and white, middle class, middle aged women.)

​Want some coaching on talking to your teen? There is an app for that! Learn more about the “Talk They Hear You” app by watching this short video.

Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Prevention Services

The Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. (WeDAC) provides free prevention programming within Westmoreland County. Our area of focus is Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD). WeDAC offers the following services:

  • ATOD Evidence based curriculum
  • Current Drug Trends
  • Vaping Education
  • Problem Gambling Education
  • Participation in health fairs
  • TB/STD/HEP C and HIV education
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awareness
  • Red Ribbon Week celebrations (Free Red Ribbon dissemination, etc.)
  • Project Sticker Shock
  • Parents Who Host Lose the Most campaign
  • Prescription Drug Storage and Disposal
  • Medical Marijuana education
  • Overdose Prevention trainings
  • Parent Educational Trainings
  • And More!

Council on Substance Abuse and Youth Program (CSAY)

 

CSAY was established to address the growing problem of youth alcohol use in Westmoreland County through the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant in October of 2008.

Since that time, CSAY has evolved to address underage drinking and youth substance use/abuse throughout Westmoreland County.

CSAY is a drug-free communities coalition, which brings together community members working to create a safe, healthy, and drug-free environment for youth and families in Mount Pleasant.

Accomplishments

  • Annual National Night Out event
  • Mt. Pleasant Student Health Fair
  • Annual Youth Summit

 

School-based Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Abuse Prevention Services

  Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects (SVCPP)

  • Provides a variety of school-based prevention programs throughout Westmoreland County and the surrounding area of southwestern Pennsylvania. SVCPP is committed to creating, promoting and strengthening wellness in people and systems to prevent Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Abuse (ATOD), violence and other socially destructive behaviors using education, early intervention and community development.
  • For more information on Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects, contact:
    Donna A. Kean, Executive Director
    Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects
    300 Fraser Purchase Road
    Latrobe, PA 15650
    724-805-2050
    donna.kean@stvincent.edu

St. Vincent College Prevention Projects–Information Pages

St. Vincent College Prevention Projects has weekly information pages that are filled with great information from COVID-19 tips to info on the Student Assistance Program Team Planning.  Check out all the buzz by downloading each weekly page below. 

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