We can all “save lives”!
Our mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.
In person QPR training
We have trained 40+ local leaders in Towns and Union Counties!
Q = Question
Recognize the warning signs of suicide.
P = Persuade
Know how to offer hope.
R = Refer
Know how to get help and save a life.
about us
The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Inc.
The Council is a 50 year-old nonprofit agency focused on the prevention of substance abuse. Our office is located in the GA Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Atlanta, GA. The Council provides drug free workplace and DOT services nationwide, along with statewide, regional, and local prevention programs funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Behavioral Health, Office of Behavioral Health Prevention and Federal Grants, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and other agencies.
Since 1969 we have been serving the public with effective, science-based alcohol and other drug prevention programs while assisting the business community in maintaining drug free workplace programs that positively impact the bottom line. Our motto is: “Saving Lives, Saving Money: it’s the Right Thing To Do!”
For more information on the Council, please visit our website.
OUR approach
In Towns and Union Counties, we have a multi-dimensional approach for addressing suicide prevention.
First, we are doing QPR (“Question, Persuade, Refer”) trainings in workplaces, community centers, and with groups in the community that are interested in scheduling. All are welcome at our trainings, as our goal is to get as many residents of Towns and Union Counties certified as QPR Gatekeepers. QPR is a training that teaches participants how to recognize the signs of a suicide crisis, how to ask the suicide question, and how to find resources. The goal is to help other become more comfortable intervening in the event of a suicide crisis so that lives can be saved! QPR trainings are approximately 1.5 hours in length, and a maximum of 30 people can be trained per training. To schedule a training, click the link at the top of the page!
In addition to QPR trainings, The Council on Alcohol and Drugs use social media campaigns, billboards, and radio advertisements to provide the Georgia Crisis Access Line (GCAL), give information regarding suicide prevention, and up to date statistics on the suicide crisis in our area. The GCAL line can be reached at 1-800-715-4225. Currently, billboards can be seen on digital billboards in Union County, and radio ads are being aired 8 times daily on 97.7 WJUL.
The last focus area for The Council on Alcohol and Drugs suicide prevention project is to create a suicide prevention protocol for schools in Towns and Union Counties. Project coordinator works with counselors and school social workers to develop a specific suicide prevention protocol to be used across all schools within the counties to address suicide issues and work on preventing suicidal behavior within the schools.