White House Recognizes Spokane Substance Abuse Council | Community Spirit

White House Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske recognized the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council (GSSAC) with a national award for Outstanding Prevention/Public Education Effort on Tribal Lands. GSSAC Executive Director, Linda Thompson, accepted the award at the recent 2011 national High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Conference in Washington D-C.

Among the first projects undertaken by GSSAC was the development and implementation of the WA Meth Watch Community Education Presentation, with the intention of making accurate, useful information regarding a range of meth-related issues. Presenters have been trained throughout Washington State, and have provided over 1,000 presentations to over 38,000 people.

Recently, GSSAC staff assisted the Spokane Tribal Police with the implementation of a prescription medication take-back program for the Tribal community. And most recently, GSSAC conducted a community forum that brought together law enforcement, treatment and prevention leaders including the prevention coordinator for the Spokane Tribe and the Chief of the Kalispel Tribal Police Department.