Prevention Education And Community Empowermen The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Country Resources Substance Abuse Strategies and Plans Guam 14 June 2013 Guidelines

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In 2003, Guam initiated a planning process for the development of the island’s first comprehensive strategic plan for substance abuse prevention and early intervention that sets the
path for creating a healthier Guam. The PEACE Strategic Prevention Framework-State
Incentive Grant (SPF/SIG), Guam Comprehensive Strategic Plan (2006-2009) was written,
implemented and evaluated. The initial PEACE goals set were to: prevent the onset and reduce
the progression of substance abuse (alcohol and tobacco), including childhood and underage
drinking; reduce substance abuse-related problems in the communities; and build prevention
capacity and infrastructure at the “state and community” level.

Guam’s State Prevention Enhancement (SPE) Plan development for PEACE (2014-2018)
follows with additional U.S. national goals and other data-driven priorities determined locally,
that are relevant to the island of Guam:
1. Prevent or reduce consequences of underage drinking and adult problem drinking;
2. Prevent suicides and attempted suicides among populations at risk, including military
families and LGBTQ youth;
3. Reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse;
4. Prevent substance abuse and mental illness (promote positive mental health);
5. Develop and enhance policy and funding to support needed services for behavioral health
system improvements on Guam; and
6. Enhance behavioral health workforce development initiatives.

From the onset of strategic prevention planning, Guam’s stated vision for PEACE is an
island community empowered and committed to making informed decisions and choices
towards a healthier (mental, physical, spiritual) future for themselves and others on Guam. Its
stated mission is to establish and implement culturally appropriate and sustainable prevention
and early intervention policies, programs and practices that are responsive to the needs of the
people of Guam and that are proven to effect positive behavioral health changes.

The Prevention and Training Branch staff of the Guam Behavioral health and Wellness
Center has stayed true to its stated mission. PEACE is a community-based plan development
process that engages and empowers public and private sector stakeholders, consumers and peer
specialists of behavioral health services, youth and adult community volunteers, the Governor-appointed PEACE Council members and Guam’s State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup
(SEOW) members to be part of the change. These PEACE partners make informed, datadriven
decisions following an effective five-step strategic prevention framework process (Assessment, Capacity Building, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation) for setting priorities that are respectful of cultural values and practices, and result in sustainable policies, programs and practices that are relevant to the people of Guam.

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