Prevention is defined as a proactive process which empowers individuals and communities to meet the challenges of everyday life events and transitions by creating and reinforcing healthy behaviors and lifestyles, ultimately reducing risks that contribute to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug misuse and their consequences on the individual and the community.
The BDAS Prevention Services Unit develops and supports a comprehensive statewide prevention system consisting of ten regional networks (RNs). Each network services a defined geographical area that allows communities to address local level needs as it relates to alcohol and other drugs. Regional networks 
mobilize and convene community level stakeholders to be proactive in creating communities that support healthy lifestyles amongst their residents.
RNs and Coalitions harness the community's power to address change and to promote wellness. A well-functioning coalition engages residents, law enforcement, members from the medical and faith based communities, schools, non-profits, businesses, local government, parents, families and youth to all work in tandem to address a communities needs.
The New Hampshire Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS) and its key stakeholders developed Strategic Prevention Enhancement Plan (SPEP) 
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The efforts and results of the SPEP are due to a one-year Federal grant from Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The purpose of the plan is to strengthen the infrastructure and support BDAS and its contractors to provide support at the state, regional and community level in service to the prevention and reduction of alcohol and drug abuse in New Hampshire. The plan reflects year long efforts to use data and key stakeholder and community participation to set goals and objectives; prioritize evidence-based programs, practices, and policies; coordinate activities; determine key data indicators and evaluation plans to measure outcomes; and plan for the sustainability of infrastructures and activities. Over the next several months BDAS will develop a work plan reflective of the SPEP goals and objectives to measure and monitor the prevention system’s progress in achieving its intended outcomes. In addition, aspects of this prevention plan will become an integral component for the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment "Plan for the State" subject to their approval due later this year. BDAS is very appreciative of the many stakeholders who contributed to the SPEP, especially to the Governor's Commission Prevention Task Force who served as the SPEP Advisory Council. If you should any questions please contact Valerie Morgan, Administrator for BDAS Prevention Services Unit at (603) 271-6819.
The NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services is excited to announce the completion of ten (10) Regional Network Strategic Plans developed to address substance abuse prevention across the State. Collectively Regions engaged over 2,507 stakeholders in forums and planning meetings to complete the community-level data driven planning process in the production of these plans.
- A - North Country Regional Network (3.32MB)
- B - Lower Grafton County Regional Network (4.25MB)
- C - Lakes Region & Mount Washington Valley Regional Network (5.08MB)
- D - Sullivan County Regional Network (1.49MB)
- E - Capital Area Regional Network (3.49MB)
- F - South Eastern Regional Network (2.88MB)
- G - Monadnock Regional Network (4.13MB)
- H - Greater Manchester Regional Network (4.27MB)
- I - Greater Nashua Regional Network (4.29MB)
- J - Greater Rockingham County Regional Network (3.92MB)
Partnerships for Success
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS) was awarded multi-million dollar federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). The Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success II Grant (SPF-PFS II) is a three year grant totaling $3.6 million. Funding began on October 1, 2012 and will end on September 30, 2015. The primary goal of the SPF-PFS II goal is to leverage the state’s existing prevention system structures and its resources to impact substance use among high need populations in identified communities to reduce: 1) underage drinking among persons aged 12 to 20; and 2) prescription drug misuse and abuse among persons aged 12 to 25. BDAS successful federal grant proposal is posted to the DHHS website. BDAS will release a Request for Proposals in January 2013.
Some key tasks of the regional networks include:
- Mobilize key community stakeholders to form a coalition
- Work with prevention direct service providers
- Coordinate community resources
- Perform community based risk assessments to identify current substance use/abuse issues
- Determine the environmental risk factors that may contribute to these factors
- Recruit interested individuals, organizations, groups, companies, etc. to work together to address these issues
- Develop comprehensive strategic plans that address community needs
- Implement evidence-based interventions, policies and practices
- Conduct on-going monitoring and evaluation and document the outcomes and communicate the results
How can you help get involved?
Other Resources
- Regional Information
- Process for NH Prevention Providers to Select Evidence-based Interventions
- Selecting Evidence-based Interventions Pictorial
- NH Center for Excellence
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