Youth Tobacco-Free Recovery Initiative
Alabama Department of Mental Health and State Partners
Launch the Statewide Initiative
Montgomery, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), in partnership with the Alabama Medicaid Agency, and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is launching a statewide initiative to promote the Tobacco-Free Recovery Action Plan, for adolescents and transition-aged youth, ages 13 to 24.
Through the ADPH Quitline, expanded collaboration with state agency partners, youth service providers, and community organizations, Alabama is ensuring young people receive evidence-based information and care to prevent the use of tobacco, and to assist in cessation.
Alabama aims to reduce vaping and tobacco harm while improving long term recovery through this cross-agency initiative. It will address commercial tobacco and nicotine dependence alongside mental health and substance use disorders. Integrating tobacco-free recovery information and assistance into behavioral health services is a crucial component to long-term health. By pairing evidence-based behavioral therapies with peer mentorship, the state is building a comprehensive care framework, so young Alabamians have support when they need it.
“Treating tobacco use is an essential part to whole-person care,” said Elana Merriweather, Adolescent and Adult Program Manager, ADMH Office of Substance Use Treatment Services. “When teens and young adults are met with evidence-based support, they have the tools they need to achieve lasting recovery.”
To build a strong foundation for the initiative, ADMH analyzed state behavioral health and substance use data to pinpoint critical service gaps. The department also launched a localized pilot project across contracted adolescent treatment providers, with a prevention provider and at a historical black college/university (HBCU) to implement standardized screening tools, establishing targets for youth nicotine identification and ongoing treatment success.
For more information, please contact the ADMH Office of Public Information, publicinformation.dmh@mh.alabama.gov, 334-242-3417.
###