The Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) is used to plan, implement and evaluate activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. SAMHSA requires that grantees spend no less than 20% of their SABG allotment on substance abuse primary prevention strategies, in other words, intervention before health effects occur.
In Arkansas, the SABG is used to coordinate the Save AR Students Campaign.
Save AR Students is a week-long awareness campaign to improve substance use prevention in all Arkansas institutions of higher education.
Two campaigns are scheduled each year, one in spring and one in fall at the same time as Arkansas Drug Take Back Days.
Each campaign begins with a kickoff rally on the steps of the State Capitol in Little Rock. Students, mascots, institution administrators and faculty, and state and local officials are invited to attend. Community members, who have been impacted by substance misuse, share testimonies and perspectives on state prevention efforts.
Save AR Students also receives funding through the State Opioid Response III grant.
