Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, First District Health Unit in Minot, will host National Prevention Week events each day at 12 p.m.

The mini-seminars are free to attend and registration is not required to learn about life-saving resources to help prevent or recover from addiction or cope with suicide.

During the prevention seminars, visitors will have the chance to participate in interactive activities, observe the graphic effects of drug and alcohol abuse and engage in question and answer sessions with medical experts before listening to heart-felt testimonies from impassioned speakers.

Callous and indiscriminate, the savage grip of addiction knows no boundaries and the heartache of suicide survivors continues to grow in awareness.

Allan Blanks/MDN Tobacco companies invest an estimated $3 million in advertising their products. Spotted near the corner of an intersection, posters of tobacco products are in plain view of pedestrians and motorists. During National Prevention Week, experts will discuss the clever forms of advertisement used to entice youths and adults to purchase tobacco products.

Kira Lampton, the prevention outreach coordinator at First District Health Unit, hopes National Prevention Week empowers both youths and adults with life-saving information.

“Most often, adolescents and full-time college students start using substances during the months of June and July,” Lampton said.

Founded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Prevention Week begins every third week of May, with the intention of preventing addiction and suicide by way of education and awareness.

“The timing of prevention week is to provide an opportunity for schools and organizations to host events before schools end and begins in the summer,” Lampton said. “For adults, we are holding a bring-your-own lunch and learn at First District Health Unit. Each day, we have a different topic, which are all standard for National Prevention Week.”

Starting Monday, visitors are invited to learn about the evolution of tobacco, followed by Tuesday’s coverage of underage drinking and alcohol misuse.

According to Lampton and members of the National Prevention Week panel, the best way to combat advertising efforts by tobacco and alcohol companies is for potential users to have a wealth of knowledge about the products being marketed and the new myths and approaches used to sell alcohol and tobacco products.

“Tobacco companies spend an estimated three million dollars a year in advertising alone,” Lampton said. “For example, one of the ways tobacco companies advertise is by creating a power wall. It’s right behind the cash register because everyone who is checking out will see the tobacco products. Also, take a look at where the signs are located on the doors. They’re not at adult level. A lot of advertisements will be placed at lower levels, which are in direct line of sight of youths and kids.”

In addition to strategic placement, Lampton revealed the evolution of tobacco includes a new approach with youthful flavor.

“For example, e-cigarettes have flavors like gummy bear and cotton candy,” Lampton said. “These flavors are not necessarily geared towards adults. They’re created to entice youth.”

Along with addressing the changing marketing approaches of tobacco and alcohol, the mini-seminars will address opioid drug misuse on Wednesday, while Thursday highlights youth marijuana use and Friday closes with the prevention of suicide.

Another facet of National Prevention Week is youth participation.

During the five-day event, youth are invited to participate in a meme and video contest promoting the importance of preventing suicide, alcohol abuse and drug misuse.

To learn more about National Prevention Week, visit the First District Health Unit Facebook page or visit online at www.fdhu.org.