FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jenna Van Shufflin, Executive Director

540-722-3589, ext. 28

CLEAN, Inc. Supports National Drug Prevention and Education Week

Winchester, VA – February 6, 2008 -- CLEAN, Inc., Community Connections for Youth & Family, announces that February 10-16 is National Drug Prevention and Education Week. Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) introduced a new resolution designating the week of February 10-16, 2008 as National Drug Prevention and Education Week. The resolution encourages communities to carry out programs and activities to educate parents and youth about the dangers of drug use. “National Drug Prevention Week will go a long way to support education and prevention efforts to help stop drug use before it starts,” said Senator Biden, also Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs.

General Arthur T. Dean, Chairman and CEO of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) applauded the efforts of Senators Biden and Grassley “for focusing national attention on the critical role that drug prevention and education – especially when combined with comprehensive community coalitions – plays in keeping kids drug-free. With more youth now turning to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, the overall rate of illicit drug use still unacceptably high, education and community-wide prevention strategies are more critical now than ever.”

Over 20 years of research has demonstrated that prevention and intervention designed to reduce risk and enhance protective factors can help children at every step along their developmental path from early childhood into young adulthood. By utilizing multiple strategies across multiple sectors of the community, community coalitions organize and develop comprehensive plans to achieve population level changes in local drug problems.

As this community’s local anti-drug coalition and CADCA member, CLEAN, Inc. offers youth prevention services through its various programs. The Student Assistance Program, in collaboration with the middle and high schools in Winchester City, Frederick and Clarke counties, provides prevention and early intervention services to adolescents and their families through support groups, education, substance abuse assessments and referral services. CLEAN’s Educational Program includes Alcohol and Drug

Education classes for youth 12-17 years old, and two parenting classes, “Connecting Teens and Parents” for both parents and their teens, and “Staying Connected with Your Teen” for parents only.

As part of CLEAN’s Resource and Speakers Bureau, workshops, trainings and consultation services are offered to schools, community-based programs, religious organizations, civic organizations, parent groups, business and industry and the community-at-large. Topics include Risk and Protective Factors, Developmental Assets, Communication Skills, Alcohol and Drug Education, etc.

CLEAN’s Community Information and Resource Line (CIRL), a confidential telephone information line, available in both English and Spanish, can be accessed by calling (540) 722-2221 and pressing a four-digit code. Callers have anonymous access to over 300 pre-recorded messages on topics ranging from stress management, parenting, and substance abuse topics. To receive a free brochure which lists all of the four-digit codes for a wide variety of helpful topics, call CLEAN, Inc. at (540) 722-3589 or visit CLEAN’s website, www.cleaninc.org.

“I’m grateful to reside in an area with programs and services that strive to keep kids drug-free,” says CLEAN’s Executive Director Jenna Van Shufflin. “This area is filled with people making a positive difference for our youth; whether as a parent, educator, pastor, or mentor. I believe in the old adage that it takes a village to raise a child, and I invite anyone wishing to get involved in making a difference to call CLEAN during this National Drug Prevention Week and find your place to help keep kids drug-free.”

CLEAN, Inc. Community Connections for Youth and Family, founded in 1986, is a private non-profit community coalition serving Winchester City, and Clarke and Frederick Counties. CLEAN seeks to foster a safe, healthy, drug-free community by connecting with youth and families to support positive, healthy choices through information, education, community activities and programs. CLEAN’s Board of Directors represent many local agencies and organizations, such as law enforcement, faith community, schools, social services, mental health/substance abuse treatment providers, health care, youth-serving agencies, parents, and other concerned community members. For more information on CLEAN’s programs and services, call (540) 722-3589, e-mail postmaster@cleaninc.org, or visit CLEAN’s website at www.cleaninc.org.

To view a copy of the full Resolution, go to http://cadca.org/CoalitionResources/PP-Documents/Feb_2008_Natl_Drug_Prevention_and_Education_Week_Res_Final.pdf.

Helping our community, one family at a time, because . . .

Kids Are Our Concern!

-end-