Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST)

Abby Winstead, MPH, CPH, CHES, CPS & Caroline Newkirk, MPH, CPH, CHES & Jordon Hillhouse, MBA, CPS, & Mack Pampley

May 16-19, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Location: 5 Olympic Way, Madison, MS 39110

The Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) is the foundational course of study in substance abuse prevention, grounded in current research and SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework. It prepares practitioners to implement effective, data-driven prevention programs and practices that reduce behavioral health disparities and improve wellness.

The SAPST is for practitioners new to the substance abuse prevention field and/or working in related disciplines. This innovative training blends a four-day, in-person component with an interactive online unit. In addition to this presentation, there is a required online course that must be completed before attending the four-day, face-to-face training.

What does the SAPST cover?

Introduction to Substance Abuse Prevention: Understanding the Basics (online), including an overview of basic terminology and facts, history of substance use and prevention in the U.S., addiction and the brain, and the effects and health risks from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Setting the Foundation: From Theory to Practice (in-person), including an exploration of behavioral health, the Institute of Medicine’s Continuum Care, the public health approach to prevention, risk and protective factors, and the developmental perspective.

Application: SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (in-person), including presentations on assessment, capacity, planning, implementation, and evaluation, cultural competence, and sustainability.

Objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Address substance abuse prevention in the context of behavioral health.
2. Improve practice by developing a comprehensive approach to prevention.
3. Reduce behavioral health disparities by identifying the needs of vulnerable populations and improving cultural competency. 

26.0 CE’s for:

• CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist)
• DMH (PLACE)
• MAAP (Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals)
• NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)
• SW (Social Work) general hours