Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services, Inc. has the distinction of being the largest prevention/education provider in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Since 1973, our agency has become internationally known for its innovative, dynamic, and creative services. 

We employ a staff of eleven (11) full-time Prevention/Education Specialists with over 100+ years of experience in providing drug and alcohol school and community based prevention and education services.  These specialists are assigned to the following school districts (Luzerne and Wyoming Counties):

• Berwick Area
• Dallas Area
• Greater Nanticoke Area
  
• Hanover Area
• Lake Lehman
• Northwest Area
• Pittston Area
• Tunkhannock Area
• Wilkes-Barre Area
• Wyoming Area
• Wyoming Valley West

Annually, these Prevention/Education Specialists provide in excess of 12,000 hours of services within these school districts.  Topics addressed are as follows:

• refusal skills
• coping skills
• problem-solving skills
• conflict resolution
• decision-making
• setting priorities and goals
• peer mediation
• self-esteem building
• identifying healthy peers
• effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs on health
• perinatal curriculum
• alternatives to violent behavior
• etc.

In addition to providing these comprehensive school-based services, our agency, through its prevention/education team, presents in excess of 700 community programs annually.  Some of the types of programs presented are as follows:

• small groups
• general community; civic, religious, youth, business, service club, college, etc.
• exhibits/displays
• panel discussions
• awareness days
• media; radio, television, newspaper
• keynote addresses
• recovering stories
• DUI awareness
• college/university orientation
• etc.

AFFILIATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH DENNIS BONVIE,
FORMER NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE AND AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE ICON
We are pleased to announce the addition of Dennis Bonvie, former American Hockey League icon and National Hockey League player, to our prevention/education team. Dennis will visit schools and community events and will present drug and alcohol messages to children and youth.

Additionally, “Bonvie’s Brigade”, a drug and alcohol free fan club, has been initiated and will challenge youth to make a pledge to be drug and alcohol free. The signed card will entitle them to rewards throughout the community.

DRUGS AND GANGS
WVADS, Inc. has produced the first ever regional booklet entitled, “Youth, Gangs, and Drugs” and has begun an extensive education and awareness campaign to prevent youngsters from gang affiliation of any type. Because of the fascination, fixation, and lure that gang life falsely presents, WVADS, Inc. has taken a pro-active approach by adding school and community awareness programs on this subject. Special thanks is given to Dr. Michael O’Deane, Asst. District Attorney of San Diego County and author of “Gang Investigator’s Handbook”.