HR0713 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0713 LRB104 20965 MST 34802 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Prevention Network (IPN) is a statewide collaboration of prevention professionals, community coalitions, and organizations committed to creating and sustaining safe, healthy, and drug-free communities by advancing evidence-based strategies that reduce youth substance use, promote mental wellness, and support families across Illinois; and

WHEREAS, National Prevention Week, observed from May 10 through May 16, 2026, is an annual public education campaign sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health; and

WHEREAS, Community-based coalitions are recognized as an evidence-based, population-level strategy for substance use prevention and behavioral health promotion, leveraging cross-sector collaboration to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors for youth and families; and

WHEREAS, The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, currently supports 11 coalitions in Illinois that engage youth and adults in developing local solutions to prevent substance use among young people; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Link Together coalition was named coalition of the year by CADCA, which represents and supports over 7,000 community coalitions in every U.S. state and territory and more than 28 countries around the world; and

WHEREAS, Illinois leads the nation in the number of CADCA Blue Ribbon recipients with outstanding coalitions, including the Communities for Positive Youth Development (CPYD) Coalition, the Stand Strong Coalition, the Juvenile Justice Council of Iroquois County, the North Shore Coalition for Drug-Free Communities, the Choose Your Path Coalition, the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition, and the Healthy Communities Alliance; and

WHEREAS, The Pledge for Life coalition was named a Dose of Prevention award first runner-up by CADCA for their effective stop medicine abuse campaign in 2024; and

WHEREAS, These Illinois coalitions serve as models for effective implementation of SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework and demonstrate measurable community-level reductions in youth substance use through inclusive partnerships, youth-led initiatives, and culturally responsive programming; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Youth Survey (IYS), administered biennially by the Center for Prevention Research and Development at the University of Illinois, provides critical data on youth substance use, mental health, and related risk behaviors, enabling communities to tailor prevention strategies; and

WHEREAS, The 2024 IYS data indicates positive trends in reduced youth use of alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs, highlighting the effectiveness of ongoing prevention initiatives led by community coalitions, schools, and other local stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, National Prevention Week provides an opportunity to elevate the role of prevention in promoting mental and behavioral wellness, reducing youth substance use, and building stronger, healthier communities across the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May 10 through May 16, 2026 as Prevention Week in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend the leadership and commitment of the many agencies and partners across the State whose work supports prevention coalitions, youth leaders, schools, and families who work tirelessly to create safe and supportive environments through prevention and mental health promotion; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the members of the Illinois Prevention Network, including the Boone County Drug Prevention Coalition, the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition, Catalyst Adlai E. Stevenson High School, the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Elgin, the Choose Your Path Coalition Lake County, Community-The Anti-Drug (Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood, and Riverwoods), the DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team, the Healthy Communities Alliance Randolph & Washington Counties, the Link Together Coalition Wheeling Township, the Live Well Mendota Coalition, the Massac County Drug Awareness Coalition, the North Shore Coalition Evanston, the Pledge for Life Partnership Kankakee, Prevention First, Project Oz Bloomington, Stand Strong Buffalo Grove, the THRIVE Youth Coalition Kane County, THRIVE Youth Coalition and THRIVE Parenting Project, Wabash County Drug Free Community Coalition, Healthy Communities Alliance, Catalyst Stevenson High School, Family Guidance Centers, Wilmington Coalition for a Healthy Community, DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team (PLT), Choose Your Path Coalition (Wauconda area), Carroll County Substance Education Coalition, Prevention First, Stand Strong Coalition, Communities for Positive Youth Development Coalition (CPYD), Link Together Coalition, Boone County Drug Prevention Coalition, Community-The Anti-Drug Coalition & LEAD: Lead & Educate Against Drugs Youth Coalitions - Deerfield & Highland Park High Schools, Massac County Drug Awareness Coalition, Live Well Mendota, and Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.