The Prevention Coalition Podcast

Starting a community prevention coalition from scratch can feel like trying to move a mountain by yourself, but hosts Logan Reid and Heidi Dutson are here to remind us that you don't have to go it alone! Joined by Utah’s very own "Prevention Princess," Susanna Burt—who is rumored to sport a tattoo of the Strategic Prevention Framework somewhere on her body—the team breaks down how evidence-based models like Communities That Care (CTC) transform an overwhelming task into actionable, step-by-step milestones. From recruiting a well-loved local champion to rally support and finding the right lead agency, to assessing true community readiness and embracing the journey with plenty of grace, this episode delivers essential advice, practical tools, and a healthy dose of encouragement for anyone ready to make a lasting local impact.

References:

• Shumate, M., Dougherty, S. M., Miles, J.-P., Boyer, A.-M., Wang, R., Gibson, Z. M., & Cooper, K. R. (2023). Network Effectiveness in Context. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 33(4), 716–729.
• Miles, J.-P., Boyer, A.-M., & Shumate, M. (2022). Empowering practices in education-focused coalitions: an examination using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. Community Development Journal, 59(1), 180–199.
• Christens, B. D., & Inzeo, P. T. (2015). Widening the view: situating collective impact among frameworks for community-led change. Community Development, 46(4), 420–435.

Bruh, we got a real-life, veteran prevention expert in the studio with us. Craig PoVey, former Director of Prevention for the state of Utah, former President of the National Prevention Network, and current Principal of Policy Analysis and Strategic Communications for Synergy Enterprises, Inc., overseeing SAMHSA's Talk. They Hear You media campaign, is in the studio! He gives us some unique history of prevention in our state (and nation) that only someone with his experience can share, painting a picture of what has brought Prevention Science to where it is today, and why coalition work has risen to the forefront. Got a quarter? It's all you need. Stick it in Craig and he'll start talking, and genuinely valuable wisdom always follows!

Visit the Talk. They Hear You site to find valuable resources for parents and community leaders on how to prevent youth drug use, and even more valuable, utilize the community tools they have to help coalitions plan and implement activities with the campaign. And check out their Podcast as well!

Studies referenced in this episode:

• Hawkins, J. D., Smith, B. H., Hill, K. G., Kosterman, R., Catalano, R. F., & Abbott, R. D. (2007). Promoting social development and preventing health and behavior problems during the elementary grades: Results from the Seattle Social Development Project. Victims & Offenders, 2(2), 161–181.
• Hawkins, D., & Catalano, R. (1993). Communities that care: Risk-focused prevention using the social development strategy. Seattle, WA: Developmental Research and Programs.
• Communities-care-risk-focused-prevention-using-social-development

We need a clear map of what the problem is, why it's the problem, what's driving it in our community, and how we're going to solve it. In our experience, the highest functioning coalitions are the ones that have a really good logic model, so we're starting with an open discussion about what they are, and why they are so necessary. Today, Logan Reid and Heidi Dutson have invited the man himself, David Watkins, to help them! (And to talk about puppies!)

As preventionists, we often want to follow our gut, and take the responsibility of saving the world upon our shoulders, alone. But community-level problems require community-level solutions. And to be most effective, they need to be data driven and evidence-based. Join Heidi Dutson, Logan Reid, and Special Guest Rob Timmerman as they discuss their favorite acronym: CCEBP

References:

• Faggiano, F., Vigna-Taglianti, F., Versino, E., Zambon, A., Borraccino, A., & Lemma, P. (2008). School-based prevention for illicit drugs use: a systematic review. Preventive Medicine, 46(5), 385-396.

Do you see the paradox? We're improving access to care and increasing treatment services, but the needs continue to rise. Until we address the structural roots of risk at the community level, we're not going to solve our substance use and mental illness problems. Logan Reid and Heidi Dutson discuss why we need more Primary Prevention!

References:

• Elder, R. W., Lawrence, B., Ferguson, A., et al. (2010). The Effectiveness of Tax Policy Interventions for Reducing Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Related Harms. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 38, 217-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2009.11.005
• Wagenaar, A. C., Salois, M. J., & Komro, K. A. (2009). Effects of beverage alcohol price and tax levels on drinking: a meta‐analysis of 1003 estimates from 112 studies. Addiction, 104, 179-190. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02438.x
• Wagenaar, A. C., Tobler, A. L., & Komro, K. A. (2010). Effects of Alcohol Tax and Price Policies on Morbidity and Mortality: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Public Health, 100, 2270-2278. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2009.186007
• Saad, C., Cheng, B. H., Takamizawa, R., Thakur, A., Lee, C. W., Leung, L., Veerman, J. L., & Aminde, L. N. (2025). Effectiveness of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship bans on smoking prevalence, initiation and cessation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Tobacco Control. https://doi.org/10.1136/tc-2024-058903
• Sornpaisarn, B., Shield, K. D., Cohen, J. E., Schwartz, R., & Rehm, J. (2015). Can pricing deter adolescents and young adults from starting to drink: An analysis of the effect of alcohol taxation on drinking initiation among Thai adolescents and young adults. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 5, S45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2015.05.004

Why are coalitions important? We have some thoughts. This podcast is about what the science says, but also what our on-the-ground experience has shown us as we try to implement that science. Hosts Heidi Dutson and Logan Reid discuss why it takes a village, and what some of the most current research says about coalitions.

Send us your comments, ideas and questions by going to UtahPrevention.org/coalition-podcast and sending us a message.