In this episode of the Safe Yakima Prevention Connection, host Katie Goodale sits down with Leslie Preciado, a Toppenish High School senior and youth leader making a real impact through prevention and leadership. Leslie shares how she got involved with the SAFE Club, what substance use prevention looks like in her school, and why stepping outside your comfort zone can change both your community and your confidence. This conversation highlights youth voice, positive peer influence, and the power of student leadership in building healthier, safer schools.

In recognition of Impaired Driving Prevention Month, the Safe Yakima Prevention Connection podcast welcomes Molly Johnston, Court Monitoring Specialist with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), serving Yakima County and the broader Pacific Northwest.

Marisol Esparza of Safe Yakima Valley sits down with Molly to unpack what happens after an impaired driving arrest and why court outcomes matter just as much as enforcement. Drawing from firsthand experience and the most recent data, Molly shares sobering trends from over 1,100 DUI arrests, highlights gaps in accountability, and explains how court monitoring can help to inform effective preventive measures.

In this episode, we talk with Yajaira Lemus, Public Health Educator with the Benton-Franklin Health District and contractor for the Washington State Department of Health. Yajaira shares what adults are already doing well in youth substance-use prevention, the biggest misconceptions about vaping and high-potency cannabis, and why evolving products bring challenges to prevention. 

She offers practical tips for talking with teens, modeling healthy behavior, and staying informed about emerging trends. Yajaira also highlights real stories from her work with youth and explains how families, schools, and communities can work together to make a meaningful difference.

A concise, insightful conversation for anyone invested in helping young people make healthy choices.

In this episode of the Safe Yakima Valley Prevention Connection Podcast, Deputy Fire Chief Del Whitmore shares what makes Grandview a uniquely supportive community and why everyday residents play a crucial role in keeping youth safe. We talk about the realities first responders see concerning substance use, the risks teens face, and how prevention efforts through the Grandview Coalition are helping the community stay ahead of substance-use trends.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or community partner, this conversation offers clear insight into how collaboration can protect the next generation and strengthen Grandview’s future.

Grandview Coalition meets the third Wednesday of every month. Please reach out to us at safeyakimavalley.org 

In this episode, Katie Goodale talks with Julie Schillreff about how White Swan has built a youth-driven prevention movement built on trust, culture, and connection.

Julie shares how involving young people at every level, honoring Native culture, and building long-term relationships has transformed engagement and shifted local norms around vaping and substance use.

In this bonus episode, Safe Yakima Valley talks with Commissioner LaDon Linde and Executive Director Alicia Tobin about Proposition 1, the upcoming advisory vote on Yakima County’s cannabis ban. They discuss the financial, health, and safety impacts of lifting the ban, the rise of high-THC products, and the importance of prevention education to protect local youth and communities.

To avoid the spread of misinformation, here are some key facts regarding the impacts of marijuana, particularly how it affects our youth:

In this episode of the Safe Yakima Prevention Connection Podcast, hosts Marisol and Derek unpack how parents can use SAMHSA’s Talk. They Hear You. campaign to start meaningful, ongoing conversations about substance use. They remind listeners that most youth don’t use substances and explore why prevention begins long before a problem arises. With empathy and practical tools, they share five key conversation goals, ways to handle tough questions like “Did you drink when you were a kid?”, and how to spot early warning signs without shame. This episode empowers parents to connect, listen, and guide their kids toward healthy, resilient choices. Small talks today protect big dreams tomorrow.

In this episode of the Safe Yakima Prevention Connection podcast, we sit down with local pastor Mark Grange to talk about the role of faith communities in promoting mental health and preventing youth substance use. Mark shares his personal story of overcoming trauma and mental health struggles, highlighting the importance of vulnerability, empathy, and safety within the church. Together, we discuss breaking stigma, creating authentic connections, and building a community where youth feel seen, supported, and valued. Whether you’re a parent, faith leader, or community member, this conversation offers practical insights and hopeful vision for a healthier Yakima Valley.

This episode of the Safe Yakima Prevention Connection Podcast dives deep into the opioid epidemic in Yakima County and highlights the life-saving role of Narcan (naloxone). Hosted by Katie Goodale, the episode provides urgent local statistics, explains how opioids affect the body, breaks down how to recognize and respond to overdoses, and offers practical steps for community members to access free Narcan.