The Pennsylvania National Guard Counterdrug Program and You
The Pennsylvania National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Program started in 1995 and is a joint venture with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Our mission is to support Community-based Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) coalitions and educational institutions in their efforts to disseminate their anti-drug messages to the public and provide youth with alternatives to drug use and substance abuse. We offer a variety of no-cost services such as:
§ National Guard Stay on Track (SOT) - prevention program for middle school students (6th through 8th) to reduce future substance abuse through cognitive development, social skills development and emotional development.
§ Youth Leadership Camps- focused on youth by educating children on substance abuse and violence, and providing positive alternatives. Some of the many team building activities include an obstacle course, leadership reaction course, physical training, climbing wall, swimming, etc., hosted at Fort Indiantown Gap or in your communities.
§ After School Activities – homework clubs at community centers; a video production program that allows students of SOT to work on their anti-ATOD end- of-year activity video, and collaborating with different agencies such as the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA in their health fairs or drug prevention programs.
§ Challenge Training- consists of team building, problem solving, and trust building games provided for special events or as part of organizational activities.
§ Presentations- healthy choices; information on the effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for youth programs, parent groups and ATOD Conferences.
§ Static Displays- anti-drug, anti-smoking and anti-alcohol resources, publications and demonstrations.
§ Contact Information – for more information about these specific programs contact the PA National Guard (PANG) Counterdrug Program, DDR Administrator or DDR Coordinator at ddr@counterdrug.org or 717 861-9612.
Click here for the PANG Regional DDR Specialist list: http://www.counterdrug.org/pacdo/ddrcontact.htm
Other Services Offered by the PA Counterdrug Program www.counterdrug.org/pacdo
· Support Federal and State Weed and Seed projects throughout Pennsylvania.
· Assist Community-based organizations in Building Coalitions.
· Provide Coalition training programs through the Northeast Counterdrug Training. Center (NCTC) www.counterdrug.org in partnership with Communities Against Drug Coalitions of America www.cadca.org
· Assist Community Based organizations with media productions to disseminate their anti-drug messages.
All of these services can be requested through either your local SCA or PANG Regional DDR Specialist. SCA County contacts http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=173&q=199790. PANG Regional DDR Specialist http://www.counterdrug.org/pacdo/ddrcontact.htm.
ACCESSING SERVICES
Criteria – The request must be related to an identified Drug Nexus (identified drug related problem). The SCA will tie the request to their risk reduction/asset/protective development strategy; and identify potential for linking with similar requests, costs, and complexity of the request and need to involve other partners. The Counterdrug program will determine availability of personnel and resources.
1. The community prevention organization should contact their regional DDR Specialist to discuss their plan and tentatively schedule an event. The organization shall submit a written service request on agency letterhead to their respective SCA for assistance, coordination and reporting purposes. Contacting the PA Counterdrug Program and submitting a written request to the SCA are actions that should be taken during the initial planning stages of the event. Note: Agencies not currently linked to the SCA can submit requests directly to ddr@counterdrug.org for screening and service delivery. However, the partnership between the BDAP and PA Counterdrug program requires the requester to formally request services through the SCA in their geographical local. This will ensure the coordination of efforts, encourage meeting the overall SCA goals and objectives, and further enhance the agency’s services.
All of these services can be requested through either your local SCA or PANG Regional DDR Specialist. SCA County contacts http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.aspa=173&q=199790. PANG Regional DDR Specialist http://www.counterdrug.org/pacdo/ddrcontact.htm.
2. The SCA will review the request to determine how services link with the overall plan for the development of protective factors and risk reduction. Once the SCA has determined how the request fits into their goals and objectives they will sign the letter and forward it the PANG Counterdrug Program at ddr@counterdrug.org for review and approval.
3. Agencies are to plan for 30-45 days from the submission of the request to services delivered in order to allow time for planning and coordinating.