September is Recovery Month
This long-standing observance spreads the message that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and/or substance use disorders. This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together on Pathways to Wellness,” emphasizes that there are many unique ways people can prevent behavioral health issues, seek treatment, and sustain recovery.
Please check the NH Recovery Month Events Calendar 
to see what is happening in your area. This calendar will be updated as we hear of more events in New Hampshire. To post an event, please contact Shannon Quinn at syquinn@dhhs.state.nh.us.
NH Ranks High for Substance Abuse Among Young Adults
New Hampshire ranks among the poorest for rates of young adult alcohol abuse and other drug use. Binge drinking among the State’s 18 – 25 year olds is 9% above the national average; also in that same age group, 27% report using marijuana on a regular basis, placing New Hampshire fifth highest in the country for both of these categories!
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services details the findings in the Issue Brief, Young Adult Substance Abuse in New Hampshire
Our Vision
We envision a society in which alcohol and drug problems are recognized as public health issues that are both preventable and treatable. We envision a society in which high-quality services for prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug problems are widely available and where prevention and treatment are recognized as specialized fields of expertise. We envision a society in which people with a history of alcohol or drug problems, and people that are at risk of these problems are valued and treated with dignity and where stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and other barriers to prevention and recovery are eliminated.
Our Mission
To significantly reduce alcohol and other drug misuse and its social, health, and behavioral consequences for the citizens of New Hampshire through public policy and resource development, education, and by supporting initiatives that ensure the delivery of effective and coordinated prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support services.
- The Prevention Task Force of the NH Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse release of the Model School Policy Report This publication will provide guidance to New Hampshire schools on developing model policies to address alcohol and other drug use.
Regional Public Health Network Configuration
The NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS) and the Division of Public Health (DPHS) have collaborated in aligning the current public health networks and regional alcohol and other drug prevention networks into reconfigured regions - now called Regional Public Health Networks consisting of 13 regions to be in contract July 1, 2013. See the attached regional map and listing of towns per region.
Monthly Events
Resiliency and Recovery Oriented Systems of Care
Resiliency and Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (RROSC) are networks of organizations, agencies, and community members that coordinate a wide spectrum of services to prevent, intervene in, and treat substance use problems and disorders. RROSCs support person-centered and self-directed approaches to care that build on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families, and communities to take responsibility for their sustained health, wellness, and recovery from alcohol and drug problems.
People interested in the transformation of the alcohol and other service delivery system in New Hampshire can become familiar with the core principles of RROSC by viewing the presentation to the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment made by members of the Commission’s Treatment Task Force and staff from the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services in August of 2011.
The Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment are pleased to share the Commission's Annual Report to the Governor and Legislature, which was submitted on November 1st. The Report captures areas of success and challenge in the
implementation of the Plan for the State on Alcohol and Other Drugs, and details strategies the Commission hopes to engage state leaders and
community stakeholders in over the coming year.
Adobe Acrobat Reader format. You can download a free reader from Adobe.