NEWSLETTER
September 2026
The Future of Substance Use Prevention in Georgia:
Five Trends Communities Should Be Watching
Substance use prevention has always required communities to adapt. The issues facing Georgia are shaped by changes in technology, culture, public attitudes, and community needs. At the same time, our understanding of prevention continues to grow. We know more about what contributes to substance use, what helps protect individuals and communities, and what is needed to create lasting change. As the field evolves, Georgia has an opportunity to build on the prevention work already happening across the state while preparing for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Read the entire article: click here.
Suicide Prevention Awareness
Each September, communities across the country recognize Suicide Prevention Month, with National Suicide Prevention Week and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 providing additional opportunities to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage meaningful conversations about suicide and mental health. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) recognizes September as an opportunity to help people understand the role they can play in preventing suicide, while the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) emphasizes raising awareness, spreading hope, recognizing warning signs, and connecting people with support. World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the World Health Organization and continues to unite communities around the message that suicide can be prevented.
This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day continued the 2024–2026 theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” encouraging communities to move from silence and stigma toward openness, understanding, and support. In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month and National Suicide Prevention Week, V4P joined the conversation by sharing suicide prevention best practices and educational messages across our social media platforms. Through continued education and awareness, we can help create communities where people feel supported, conversations about mental health are welcomed, and individuals know where to turn when help is needed.
To learn more about National Suicide Prevention Month, please click here.
From Learning to Action
Voices for Prevention (V4P) was proud to lead an engaging three-hour workshop at the Georgia School of Addiction Studies (GSAS) in Savannah, Georgia. The session, Community Voices in Action: Learning How to Navigate Georgiaís Policy Landscape and Building Effective Relationships with Legislators, brought prevention professionals together to strengthen their advocacy knowledge and build confidence in engaging with policymakers.
Throughout the workshop, participants explored practical strategies for navigating Georgiaís policy landscape, communicating effectively with legislators, using data and community stories to strengthen advocacy messages, and building meaningful relationships with decision-makers. Interactive activities gave attendees opportunities to apply these strategies to their own communities and identify actionable ways to elevate the voices and priorities of those they serve.
Each participant also received V4P’s six-chapter Advocacy Toolkit, a practical resource featuring guidance, worksheets, and activities designed to support continued advocacy efforts beyond the workshop. Participants concluded the session by developing their own advocacy action plans, turning what they learned into clear next steps for creating meaningful change in their communities.
Connecting Youth and Georgia Policymakers
V4P was proud to support the PAST Projectís End-of-Year Ceremony on September 18, bringing together middle and high school students from across Georgia to celebrate their accomplishments and the impact of youth prevention efforts. The event provided an opportunity to recognize students while reinforcing the importance of youth leadership, advocacy, and using their voices to create positive change in their communities.
As part of V4P’s continued commitment to connecting youth with Georgia leaders, V4P coordinated the participation of Georgia State Representative Robert Flournoy Jr., who attended the ceremony in person and delivered remarks to the students. Georgia State Representative Yasmin Neal also contributed to the celebration by providing a recorded message for the students, which was shared through the PAST Projectís social media.
These connections gave students an opportunity to hear directly from state policymakers and see how youth voices can be part of conversations that affect their communities. V4P looks forward to continuing to create opportunities that encourage young people to become informed, engaged, and confident advocates for prevention across Georgia.
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Becoming a member with V4P is free. Membership includes exclusive webinars, networking opportunities, and much more. You can also be involved with V4P events via our social media accounts. Our social media handle on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook is V4PGA. So, click that follow button and be a part of the V4PGA experience!
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Inspirational Thought
In prevention, we often plant seeds whose full growth we may never see. A conversation that builds trust, a young person invited to lead, or a community coming together can help create the conditions for a healthier future. When progress feels slow, remember that roots grow before branches reach. Your patience, compassion, and persistence matter. Thank you for tending to the possibilities in others and remember to give yourself the same care you bring to your community.
