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Public Health Promotion & Substance Abuse Prevention
our mission
The mission of Public Health Promotion and Prevention is to delay, avert (prevent) and mitigate (manage, reduce) the use of the substances that lead to development of substance abuse and addiction disorders. The mission is accomplished by providing high quality prevention services to individual families and to the community at large.
The BCHD Public Health Promotion and Prevention program seeks to promote a stable, safe, and healthy environment for all children and families in Berrien County. Our Certified Prevention Specialists work with Berrien County schools, local law enforcement, mental health authorities, and many other community organizations and agencies to provide community education and tools to prevent youth use of alcohol, vaping/tobacco, prescription/opioid medications, marijuana, and other drugs.
Free Narcan® Training Events
Narcan training is available through the summer to organizations and individuals. At the end of the sessions participants will receive their own Narcan® kit.
The sessions will be held 9-10 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. at 2149 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor on:
- Wednesday, June 19, 2024
- Wednesday, July 17, 2024
- Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024
- Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024
These sessions will last 15 minutes and teach individuals how to use Narcan®, and its generic version naloxone, to help prevent an overdose. Each person who completes the training will receive a free Narcan® kit.
To register, call 269.927.5622.
Home Drug Testing Kits
The most effective way to reduce substance abuse is to prevent addiction before it starts; drug tests, used in the privacy of the home, are a secure and non-invasive way to test teens or loved ones for drugs. The Substance Abuse Prevention Program provides home drug testing kits for $10. The drug test screens for methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and benzodiazepine - the five most common drugs of abuse today.
The Redi-Cup at-home drug test is a simple, contact-free test. The results are easy to interpret and available within five minutes. Purchase of a home drug test kit through the BCHD Health Promotion & Prevention Program can be done with complete anonymity. For more information, please contact 269-927-5622.
