Drug Prevention Power Hour: Empowering Leaders in Youth Drug Prevention

Cindy Jones Mills, a community leader from Georgia, discusses her involvement in creating a drug prevention coalition and the work they are doing. She shares the importance of getting people involved in drug prevention and creating opportunities for young people to advocate for healthy decisions. Cindy also talks about the challenges and successes of the coalition, including the impact of having drug counselors in schools and collaborating with organizations like Full Circle. She emphasizes the importance of bringing people together, being sincere and genuine, and caring for the community's weakest members. In this conversation, Cindy Jones Mills, a county commissioner and advocate for drug prevention, discusses the importance of connection, collaboration, and community involvement in addressing drug addiction and mental health issues. She emphasizes the need for empathy, support, and encouragement for individuals in recovery, and highlights the role of faith in guiding her decisions. Cindy also shares her experiences in implementing ordinances to regulate drug paraphernalia and vaping products, and encourages individuals to reach out to their local government officials to make a difference in their communities.

Chapters
00:00 Creating Opportunities for Youth in Drug Prevention
12:29 The Importance of Addressing a Growing Problem
23:13 The Power of Collaboration in Drug Prevention
24:52 Caring for the Community's Weakest Members
25:20 The Power of Connection and Collaboration
29:06 Supporting Individuals in Recovery
31:15 The Role of Faith in Decision-Making
37:02 Empowering Parents and Protecting Children
44:03 Implementing Ordinances to Protect Youth
47:40 Engaging with Local Government for Change

Takeaways

Getting young people involved in drug prevention is crucial for creating lasting change.
Having drug counselors in schools can make a significant impact on students' lives.
Collaboration and bringing people together are key to addressing drug prevention effectively.
Being sincere, genuine, and caring for the community's weakest members can build trust and foster positive change. Connection and collaboration are essential in addressing drug addiction and mental health issues.
Support and encouragement are crucial for individuals in recovery.
Faith can guide decision-making and provide a foundation for addressing social issues.
Engaging with local government officials can lead to positive change in communities.
Regulating drug paraphernalia and vaping products can help protect youth and prevent substance abuse.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

In this episode of the Breakwater Podcast, Jesse is joined by Kipton and Joy from Substance Free Futures, a youth-run group through Breakwater. They discuss their mission to raise awareness about substance abuse and mental health and provide fun and safe opportunities for youth engagement without the use of substances. They talk about how they got involved with Substance Free Futures and the personal motivations behind their participation. They also discuss the challenges they face in spreading awareness and the effects of drinking culture in Wisconsin. The episode ends with a discussion about the impact of Substance Free Futures and the positive qualities of each member.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Substance Free Futures
01:30 Personal Motivations for Involvement
03:21 Challenges in Spreading Awareness
08:07 The Effects of Drinking Culture in Wisconsin
12:17 The Impact of Substance Free Futures
18:22 The Positive Qualities of Each Member

Links from the episode

Breakwater: A Community Together  - facebook.com/breakwatercoalition

Takeaways

Substance Free Futures is a youth-run group through Breakwater that aims to raise awareness about substance abuse and mental health.
The members of Substance Free Futures have personal motivations for getting involved, such as wanting to support family members struggling with substance abuse or advocating for mental health.
One of the challenges they face is the perception that substance abuse is not a big problem, and they aim to educate others about the impact it has on individuals and their families.
The drinking culture in Wisconsin is prevalent and normalized, but the members of Substance Free Futures recognize the negative effects it can have on individuals and society.
Substance Free Futures provides a supportive and welcoming environment for youth to engage in fun activities and discuss serious topics related to substance abuse and mental health.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

In this episode, Jake White interviews John Danaher, a counselor and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, about the connection between counseling, substance abuse prevention and recovery, and Jiu-Jitsu. Josh shares his personal journey of overcoming alcohol addiction and how he discovered the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu in his recovery process. He explains how Jiu-Jitsu is an immersive experience that engages the mind, body, and emotions, and how it can be used as a therapeutic tool. John also discusses his company, Leverage Counseling, which aims to integrate Jiu-Jitsu and counseling to provide a holistic approach to healing and personal growth.

Chapters
00:00 The Connection between Jiu-Jitsu and Counseling
05:01 Trauma-Informed Therapy and EMDR
09:35 Building Leverage Counseling
15:44 The Power of EMDR Therapy
17:58 Applying Jujitsu Principles
20:58 Talking to Yourself 10 Years Ago
24:25 Teaching and Confidence Building
26:36 Idol Worship and Enjoyment
32:30 Confidence Building in Jujitsu
32:58 Proclivity to Shortcuts
33:57 The Pleasure and Pain of Substance Use
36:04 Getting Connected on Different Levels

Links from the episode

• Leverage Counseling - https://leveragecounseling.com/ 
• Christian Counseling Services of Arizona - https://christiancounselingservicesaz.com/
• Joshua Danaher LinkedIn page -
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-danaher-ms-lac-5171b93a/

Takeaways
Jiu-Jitsu can be an effective tool in substance abuse prevention and recovery due to its immersive nature that engages the mind, body, and emotions.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-informed therapy that focuses on memory reconsolidation and can be used in conjunction with Jiu-Jitsu to address traumatic experiences.
The use of crutches or coping mechanisms is not inherently negative; it is important to choose healthy and fulfilling crutches that support personal growth and well-being.
Integrating different learning styles, such as physical, emotional, and intellectual, can enhance the effectiveness of drug prevention programs.
Building a sense of community and providing opportunities for individuals to connect with positive activities and relationships can be instrumental in preventing substance abuse and promoting personal growth.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

Alejandra Gastelum, founder of Power Academy, shares her journey from being a successful shoe designer to starting the first recovery high school in Arizona. She saw a gap in the continuum of care for adolescents struggling with addiction and wanted to provide a supportive environment for their recovery. Recovery high schools have been proven to significantly increase abstinence, graduation rates, and mental health outcomes for students. Alejandra emphasizes the importance of individualized care and the need for a smaller, more supportive setting for these students. She is working towards opening multiple Power Academy locations across Arizona. Alejandra discusses the key components of a recovery high school and the importance of community support. She emphasizes the need for partnerships and collaboration to make the program successful. Alejandra also shares her journey in creating Power Academy and provides an outline for starting a recovery high school. The acronym POWER stands for Providing Opportunities with Education and Recovery.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
03:10 Alejandra's Journey from Shoe Designer to Founder of Power Academy
08:06 The Need for Recovery High Schools and the Impact on Students 
13:08 The Success of Recovery High Schools in Increasing Abstinence and Graduation Rates
15:20 The Importance of Individualized Care and Support in Recovery High Schools
19:36 Power Academy's Vision for Expanding Access to Recovery High Schools
23:18 The Key Components of a Recovery High School
28:04 The Importance of Volunteer Work and Support in Recovery
29:25 The Need for New Approaches to Address Substance Use
33:08 Building Partnerships and Collaboration
44:45 The POWER of Providing Opportunities with Education and Recovery

Link from the episode:

• Alejandra's website: https://poweracademy-us.org/

Takeaways
Recovery high schools provide a supportive environment for adolescents struggling with addiction and mental health issues.
These schools have been shown to significantly increase abstinence, graduation rates, and mental health outcomes for students.
Individualized care and a smaller, more supportive setting are crucial for the success of recovery high schools.
Power Academy is the first recovery high school in Arizona and aims to open multiple locations across the state. Recovery high schools provide support and education for students struggling with substance abuse.
Partnerships and collaboration are essential for the success of a recovery high school.
Research and attend conferences to learn more about recovery high schools and connect with experts in the field.
Create a business plan and obtain nonprofit status for the organization.
Engage with school districts and government officials to secure funding and support.
Focus on providing opportunities for education and recovery to students.
The acronym POWER stands for Providing Opportunities with Education and Recovery.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

Debbie Burnt, the director of Substance-Free Athletics, discusses her work in prevention and reaching athletes. She shares her journey into prevention work and the development of a curriculum to educate athletes, coaches, and parents about the effects of substances on performance. The conversation also touches on the Washington State Health Care Authority's conference and the two-part prevention conference they organize. Debbie mentions the upcoming presentation she will be giving as the keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. The episode concludes with a discussion about sharing resources and videos related to substance prevention. Substance-Free Athletics is a prevention program that focuses on educating young athletes about the effects of alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine on their bodies. The program uses a presentation-based curriculum that includes PowerPoint slides and embedded videos. It also provides collateral materials such as posters and flyers. The program aims to create a commonly understood narrative and vocabulary around substance use, and it encourages conversations among athletes, coaches, and parents. The program includes pre- and post-surveys to measure knowledge transfer and changes in opinions. The Protect Your Game Challenge is a key component of the program, where athletes discuss substance-free goals and support each other in staying substance-free.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Washington State Health Care Authority Conference
01:10 Substance-Free Athletics and the Effects of Substances on Performance
02:58 Debbie Burnt as Keynote Speaker and Workshop Facilitator
04:37 Sharing Resources for Substance Prevention
16:20 Understanding the Importance of Prevention for Young People
18:37 Explaining Substance-Free Athletics
20:30 Implementing the Program: Presentation-Based Curriculum
23:31 The Science Behind Substance Use
35:23 The Protect Your Game Challenge: Setting Substance-Free Goals
46:13 Empathy and Understanding the Audience

Links from the episode:
Substance Free Athletics website - https://www.substance-free-athletics.org/
Substance Free Athletics email - [email protected]

Takeaways

• Substance-Free Athletics focuses on prevention education for athletes, coaches, and parents.
• The curriculum developed by Substance-Free Athletics aims to educate athletes about the effects of substances on performance.
• Debbie Burnt will be the keynote speaker and workshop facilitator at the Washington State Health Care Authority's conference.
• Sharing resources and videos related to substance prevention is an important aspect of prevention work. Substance-Free Athletics is a prevention program that educates young athletes about the effects of alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine on their bodies.
• The program uses a presentation-based curriculum with PowerPoint slides and embedded videos.
• Collateral materials such as posters and flyers are available to support the program.
• The program encourages conversations among athletes, coaches, and parents and aims to create a commonly understood narrative and vocabulary around substance use.
• Pre- and post-surveys are used to measure knowledge transfer and changes in opinions.
• The Protect Your Game Challenge is a key component of the program, where athletes discuss substance-free goals and support each other.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

Brittany Richmond, a mental health expert, discusses teen anxiety and the challenges young people face today. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the various factors that contribute to mental health struggles, including societal expectations, peer pressure, and parental expectations. Richmond highlights the need for young people to embrace failure as a learning opportunity and to develop resilience. She also discusses the impact of social media on mental health and the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for young people to open up about their struggles. Brittany Richmond discusses the importance of addressing the root causes of mental and emotional health struggles in young people. She emphasizes the need for open conversations and active listening to create a space where individuals feel comfortable sharing their struggles. Richmond suggests using the phrase 'tell me more' as a non-intrusive way to encourage deeper conversations. She also highlights the significance of identifying healthy coping mechanisms and consistently prioritizing activities that bring joy and serve individuals. Richmond works primarily with high school students and drug prevention coalitions, focusing on overcoming and managing anxiety.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Small Talk
03:46 Introducing Brittany Richmond and Her Work
06:26 Getting to Know Brittany Richmond
09:58 Understanding the Factors Contributing to Teen Anxiety
12:19 Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity
14:18 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
22:12 The Power of 'Tell Me More'
27:14 Identifying Healthy Coping Mechanisms
32:55 Specializing in Overcoming and Managing Anxiety

Takeaways
Teen anxiety is influenced by various factors, including societal expectations, peer pressure, and parental expectations.
Failure is an important part of growth and learning, and young people should be encouraged to embrace it.
Resilience is a valuable skill that can help young people navigate the challenges they face.
Social media can have a significant impact on mental health, and it is important to create a safe and supportive environment for young people to discuss their struggles. Addressing the root causes of mental and emotional health struggles is crucial for young people.
Creating a space for open conversations and active listening is essential in supporting individuals.
Using the phrase 'tell me more' can encourage deeper conversations without being intrusive.
Identifying healthy coping mechanisms and consistently prioritizing activities that bring joy and serve individuals is important.
Brittany Richmond specializes in working with high school students and drug prevention coalitions to overcome and manage anxiety.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

Andres Mata, a youth advocate and civic engagement leader, discusses his work with the YLink program in Kansas, which provides opportunities for civic engagement and youth advocacy through a mental health lens. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the history and players in a community, as well as speaking the language of different stakeholders. Andres shares an example of a successful project he worked on in college that addressed food insecurity on campus. He also highlights the power of youth involvement in creating change and encourages young people to take ownership and be persistent in their advocacy efforts.

Chapters
00:00 Overview of Y-Link and Civic Engagement
12:51 Advocacy for Food Security in College
28:16 Understanding the Community and Players
31:13 Reframing Conversations for Effective Advocacy
35:16 Youth Empowerment and Taking Ownership
40:02 The Power of Small Actions and Contributions
41:57 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Takeaways
The YLink program in Kansas provides opportunities for civic engagement and youth advocacy through a mental health lens.
Understanding the history and players in a community is crucial for effective advocacy.
Speaking the language of different stakeholders can help build partnerships and support for initiatives.
Youth involvement is powerful in creating change and addressing community issues.
Persistence and taking ownership are key in advocacy efforts.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

Diana Hoyt has raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations, and some in the prevention and recovery space. Not only is she a speaker, consultant and author of “Formula for Fundraising”... she’s a grandmother and a stand up comedian too! In this episode Diana shares some great ideas to increase your donations, but also creative ways to gain new donors and methods of support. We talk about tools, resources, tips and lots more to help build a sustainable organization. If raising money is one of the hats you wear for your organization, this episode of the Drug Prevention Power Hour is for you!

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Building Relationships in Fundraising
07:22 The Importance of an Online Presence in Fundraising
21:27 Unleashing Creativity in Fundraising
28:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links from the episode:

• Formula for Fundraising - https://www.formulaforfundraising.com/
• Diana Hoyt on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/diana.hoyt.965
• Diana Hoyt on linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianavhoyt/

Takeaways
Building relationships is crucial in fundraising, and personal communication, such as phone calls, can make a significant impact.
Nonprofits should have a strong online presence, including a user-friendly website and an up-to-date profile on GuideStar.
Small nonprofits in rural communities can engage their supporters through mailers, engaging events, and creative fundraisers.
Fundraising efforts should progress from introductory communication to engagement events and eventually solicitation.
Nonprofits should prioritize having a database to manage donor information and track fundraising efforts.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

Summary
In this episode, Jake White interviews Leanne Greer, a prevention specialist, about effective prevention strategies. Leanne shares her journey in prevention, starting from her involvement in a middle school club to her current role in a high school. They discuss the history of prevention, from scare tactics in the 1960s to more effective and evidence-based approaches in recent years. They also explore the continuum of care in prevention, including promotion, universal prevention, selective prevention, and indicated prevention. Leanne introduces the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and explains how it guides prevention work. The conversation focuses on the strategic planning process for prevention programs. LeAnn Greer discusses the importance of creating a challenge statement and identifying the focus of the project or group. She emphasizes the need to set short-term and long-term goals, identify available resources, and develop strategies to meet those goals. LeAnn also highlights the six strategies recommended by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP): dissemination of information, prevention education, alternative activities, community-based processes, environmental approaches, and problem identification and referral.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:29 Getting to Know LeAnn and Her Journey in Prevention
05:59 Effective Prevention Strategies: The Continuum of Care
21:43 Youth-Friendly Strategic Planning
27:15 Conclusion and Key Takeaways
27:44 Youth-Friendly Materials and Engagement
32:07 Strategic Prevention Planning
32:11 Identifying Strategies for Prevention
34:28 Dissemination of Information
35:36 Prevention Education
38:21 Alternative Activities
48:14 Environmental Approaches
53:17 Problem ID and Referral

Links

• YouthToYouth International - https://www.youthtoyouth.org/
• CAMP Youth Prevention Club instagram - https://www.instagram.com/swhs_camp/
• LeAnns instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/leann_greer/
• LeAnn Greer linkedin page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leann-greer-cpp-icps-954613199/

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_

Jesse Klapa and John West are on the team for Breakwater Coalition in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In this episode they flip the script for The Drug Prevention Power Hour by co-interviewing our host, Jake White, about how he helped them start a youth prevention club from scratch. The previous 5 years the school district was resistant to any partnerships, but together with Vive18 they got into all the middle schools and one high school to develop relationships. The outcome was not only a student/peer led club, but even hosting their first event within 60 days of starting out, creating media content and gaining leadership skills. Now they’re ON FIRE for substance use prevention and mental health promotion! Enjoy this episode and gain some tips on how you can start your own youth substance use prevention club.

Quotes from the episode: 

• 10:43 “It really shows that students can have fun without substances”
• 15:20 “It's absolutely important for us to change the narrative around substance use and prevention. It doesn’t have to be this scary topic we avoid, we can talk about this, we can talk about education, mental health, the things we need to do to take care of ourselves so that we can have fun, so we can be happy”

Links from the episode

Oshkosh Breakwater Podcast:

https://breakwaterwi.org/podcast/

Jake & Jesse in dinosaur costumes 🙂

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5ON-gluO1_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...
[email protected]
instagram.com/vive18_