Welcome to NAPAFASA!

The Staff and Board Members at NAPAFASA would like to welcome you to our Web site! We will do our best to provide the most current information and resources on substance abuse issues in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities.

Please come back and visit us often!

Join NAPAFASA's Problem Gambling Project for the Central California Problem Gambling Prevention Regional Summit!

How do problem/pathological gambling and treatment differ amongst ethnic populations? How does culture affect risk and protective behaviors for the Latino/a, Southeast Asian and Native American communities in Central California? How can service providers better serve their clients in an increasingly colorful world? These are among the questions that will be explored at the Central California Problem Gambling Prevention Summit, to take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 in Fresno, CA.

Lunch, including vegetarian options, will be provided. This event offers 6 CEUs in fulfillment of MFT/LCSW, CAS, RN, CAADAC, CADDTP, and CCBCDC continuing education requirements. Qualified participants may apply to become paid consultants.

To register, complete the linked form by Wednesday, June 10th, or for more information, contact Hanh Dao or Eugene Lee via e-mail or phone at (213) 625-5795.

UNODC launches global anti-drug campaign: "Do drugs control your life?"

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched its global campaign against drugs on April 7th, World Health Day. UNODC's 2009 campaign targets young people, encouraging them to take care of their health and empowering them to refuse drugs.

About 200 million people take drugs at least once a year. Of these, 25 million are considered drug dependent. Every year, 200,000 people die from drug-related illnesses.

Young people are even more susceptible to drug use. Prevalence of drug use among young people is over twice as high as drug use among the general population; three times as high in the case of cannabis. Youth are also more vulnerable to the effects of drug use. Because their brains are still developing, by taking drugs they are more at risk of memory loss, behavioral problems, and even psychosis.

The new youth-oriented branding for the 2009 campaign is available at the UNODC campaign website at unodc.org/drugs.

Recovery Month 2009

September 2009 is Recovery Month. Across the nation, thousands of people in recovery will gather together to share their stories and celebrate sober living amongst friends and family. To participate, visit recoverymonth.gov to search for an event near you.

Need Help?

Are you or your organization located in California? Do you need help increasing your capacity in addressing substance abuse issues in your community? NAPAFASA can provide training, mentorship, and facilitation to help you expand and improve substance abuse services to the API population! Please visit our AAPI Technical Assistance Project Page for more information.

Information Central

If you would like facts about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, please visit our Fact Sheets Page.

Join Us!

Become a MEMBER of NAPAFASA and get involved with issues of substance abuse in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities. Visit our Membership Page.

Support NAPAFASA by donating to the Asian Pacific Community Fund through Workplace Giving Established in 1990, the Asian Pacific Community Fund is a network of community organizations focused on enhancing the lives of Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) throughout Los Angeles County. APCF's mission is to meet the diverse needs of APIs by building healthier communities, developing API leaders, creating a stronger API voice and providing the foundation for a brighter tomorrow. For more information on APCF and its Affiliate Agencies, please visit www.apcf.org or contact Debra Fong at (213) 624-6400.

Updated on May 14, 2009.